When it comes to chocolate, many people have a love-hate relationship. They love its sweetness and rich flavor, and how it constantly brings surprises to their taste and sight; yet, they fear its "dangers." Many would not hesitate to place it in opposition to "weight loss," and it seems to be inextricably linked with diabetes, obesity, and tooth decay.
However, after experts' latest research has uncovered several truths about chocolate and health, you need not be overly anxious, because many previous worries were actually unfounded...
First, let's look at the nutritional components of chocolate: it can provide many of the body's daily nutritional needs, offering more protein, calcium, magnesium, and vitamin B2 than many other snacks like saltine crackers and french fries. A 40-gram piece of milk chocolate contains about 3 grams of protein, 15% of the daily human requirement for riboflavin, 9% of calcium, and 7% of iron. Chocolate with almonds and peanuts is even more nutritious. Milk chocolate with almonds also increases its calcium, iron, and riboflavin content.
Chocolate milk provides more zinc, potassium, niacin, and riboflavin than whole pure milk. Pure milk provides slightly more calcium, protein, and vitamin B. As for all other nutrients, the content in pure milk and chocolate milk is almost the same.
Countless scientific studies have shown that chocolate is a nutritious food beneficial to health, and there are many reasons to love chocolate: Chocolate does not make you fat
Many people overestimate the calories in chocolate. A 40-gram piece of milk chocolate contains about 210 calories—a low enough amount to be included in a weight control diet. Surveys have shown that many overweight people do not consume excessive sugary foods. More important for weight control is controlling the total daily calorie intake and energy expenditure from physical activity. For example, overweight children are often less active than children of normal weight. Thus, even if their calorie intake reaches a reasonable level or is limited, they may still remain overweight. Chocolate strengthens tooth protection
It is widely believed that all foods containing fermentable carbohydrates play a potential role in the formation of cavities. Fermentable carbohydrates are found in starches and sugars, including those present in foods and added to processed foods.
Although chocolate contains fermentable carbohydrates, many dental studies have shown that chocolate may not be as likely to cause tooth decay as traditionally believed. Research from the Forsyth Dental Center in Boston and the University of Pennsylvania School of Dentistry has shown that cocoa powder and chocolate have the potential to counteract the acidic effects of the sugar they contain. Cocoa powder and chocolate have also been proven to slow down the demineralization process, an activity that directly leads to cavities.
Additionally, research from the Eastman Dental Center in Rochester, New York, found that milk chocolate and chocolate cookies are among the snacks that cause the least cavities. The researchers' report states: "Milk chocolate is rich in protein, calcium, phosphates, and other minerals. All of these contribute to protecting tooth enamel. Furthermore, due to its natural fat content, milk chocolate passes through the mouth relatively faster than other candies. These factors are thought to make milk chocolate less cariogenic." Chocolate can lower cholesterol
With the growing concern for heart health, fat (especially saturated fat) has been listed as a substance to be avoided. The latest research indicates that not all saturated fats have the same effect.
The cocoa butter in chocolate is the natural fat from cocoa beans, composed of saturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, and other small amounts (less than 5%) of fatty acids. Studies have shown that although cocoa butter has a high saturated fat content, it does not raise blood cholesterol like other saturated fats. This is because the saturated fatty acids in chocolate contain large amounts of stearic acid and palmitic acid. Stearic acid has a neutral effect on cholesterol—neither raising nor lowering it—while palmitic acid can slightly lower cholesterol levels, so the saturated fatty acids in chocolate have no effect on blood cholesterol levels. The oleic acid in monounsaturated fatty acids can lower cholesterol levels in the body. Chocolate is good for heart health
Scientists are studying the potential effects of chocolate polyphenols on cardiovascular health. Initial research suggests that substances with antioxidant properties may help maintain cardiovascular health. One study found that after consuming chocolate, the time required for blood oxidation was prolonged, and the total antioxidant capacity of their blood also increased. Therefore, this initial research indicates that as part of a healthy diet, eating chocolate helps maintain cardiovascular health.
The LDL in chocolate is a complex of fat and protein that carries cholesterol and fats in the bloodstream. To maintain the health of the cardiovascular system, it is necessary not only to maintain normal LDL cholesterol levels but also to maintain a normal oxidation rate for LDL cholesterol. The active ingredients in the monounsaturated fatty acids of chocolate are also oleic acid and linolenic acid, which have antioxidant effects. Chocolate does not worsen acne
Research over the past 20 years has shown that chocolate neither causes nor worsens acne. Acne is a result of excessive activity of the skin's oil glands during puberty and has no necessary connection with diet.
In a study conducted by the Department of Dermatology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, one experimental group ate a chocolate-like food without chocolate, where 28% of the plant fat mimicked the fats in chocolate liquor and cocoa butter. The other group ate real chocolate, but the chocolate bars tested contained ten times the amount of chocolate liquor found in a normal 40-gram bar. The results showed that the incidence of acne in the group that ate chocolate was almost exactly the same as in the group that did not.
You need not worry that chocolate contains a large amount of caffeine, because the caffeine intake from a normal amount of chocolate is very small. For example, 28.35 grams of milk chocolate contains about 6 milligrams of caffeine, roughly equal to the amount in a cup of decaffeinated coffee. Additionally, many other research findings will bring you pleasant surprises. For instance, occasionally eating chocolate candy can also reduce the likelihood of alcoholism, and drinking chocolate milk may be beneficial for those with lactose intolerance. Chocolate and female sexual behavior
According to an Australian news website, women have romantically linked chocolate with sexuality and sexual behavior, making chocolate a "symbol of love." Currently, scientists in the UK and Italy have established a scientific connection between the two.
According to research by Italian scientists, women who are long-term chocolate lovers have the highest levels of sexual desire, sexual motivation, and sexual satisfaction. British scientists, however, found that men who love chocolate do not score as high in these areas.
The study also showed that men who had chaotic sexual behavior in their youth are more likely to develop prostate cancer later in life. At the same time, people with multiple sexual partners have an increased risk of human papillomavirus (HPV), and this infection can lead to a series of genetic mutations, which may easily lead to cancer decades later.
It is now known that human papillomavirus is associated with cervical cancer in women. However, the latest research indicates that this virus may also lead to prostate cancer in men. If this research is confirmed, it could explain why the incidence of this disease has surged in Western countries.
Professor Tim Oliver, an oncologist at the London Institute of Medicine and Dentistry, pointed out: "Women are more susceptible to human papillomavirus in their teens and twenties." And according to research by Swedish scientists, men with high levels of antibodies to HPV33 (which can also cause cervical cancer) may also develop prostate cancer.
In a study on the relationship between chocolate and sex, researchers from Milan, Italy, studied the relationship between chocolate consumption and sexual behavior in 163 women. The study found: "Women who consume chocolate daily tend to have much higher sexual desire than those who do not love chocolate. Chocolate has a positive physiological effect on female sexual characteristics. Women with low sexual desire often experience a significant increase in sexual impulse after eating chocolate."
The researchers pointed out: "Chocolate is not like food, but a medicine. Women who experience emotional instability due to menstruation may also have a decline in sexual function, and eating chocolate at this time will improve their sexual function."
The researchers also investigated the relationship between smoking and coffee and sexual behavior, but found no connection between the two and sexual behavior.