Like many people, you can’t resist the pleasure of biting into a square of chocolate ?
And then you feel guilty every time, telling yourself you shouldn’t have done it?
There is no shortage of preconceived ideas about chocolate.
“If you eat too much chocolate, you’ll get a liver attack.”
“If you abuse it, you’ll become a chocolate addict.”
“It’s better to eat dark chocolate than milk or white chocolate.”
True or false, let’s find out together!
Chocolate causes liver attacks.
False. If you eat too much chocolate, you will have nausea, heaviness or even vomiting, but the liver is not the cause. The famous ‘liver attack’ is the result of a difficult digestion of fats. It does not affect the liver, but the gall bladder.
The association between chocolate and the ‘liver attack’ is related to the festive season. During these occasions, we eat a lot of rich foods and it is common to feel stuffed. As we also eat more chocolate during the holidays, the ailment has been wrongly attributed to chocolate, when in fact it is excess fat that causes the condition. As chocolate contains fat, it can contribute to the disease if abused, but it is not the main cause.
You can become addicted to chocolate.
False. Although it is sometimes hard to resist a bar of chocolate hidden in the cupboard, chocolate is not addictive. It is not addictive and its absence does not cause physical or psychological withdrawal symptoms.
Chocolate helps fight stress.
True and false. Cocoa is rich in almost 500 molecules, including theobromine, a mood-regulating molecule similar to caffeine. It is a kind of natural antidepressant. Chocolate also contains magnesium, which combats fatigue and sleep disorders. So you might think that it is a good remedy against stress. However, these molecules are not present in sufficient quantities to have a real impact.
Even so, eating chocolate provides sensory pleasure and secretes dopamine, which has a de-stressing, even euphoriant effect.
Chocolate causes constipation
False. Chocolate does not cause constipation. Depending on its cocoa content, its relatively high dietary fibre content has a favourable effect on gastrointestinal function. Cocoa also has a prebiotic effect on our digestive system. The polyphenols contained in dark chocolate, in particular, are thought to promote good bacteria in the gut. Milk chocolate and white chocolate, as well as highly processed chocolates, are more problematic for the intestines, due to their multiple ingredients and sugar content.
Chocolate is an aphrodisiac
False. Dark chocolate contains phenylethylamine, a pleasure hormone, but in too small quantities to have an aphrodisiac effect and create a feeling of pleasure.
Chocolate is bad for the heart.
False. On the contrary, the high flavonoid content of chocolate, especially dark chocolate, makes it a cardiovascular protector. These molecules slow down the formation of fat and cholesterol deposits in the arteries and reduce the risk of cardiovascular accidents. They also have anti-inflammatory properties, as well as antioxidant and immunostimulant action.
Dark chocolate has fewer calories than milk or white chocolate.
False. The three varieties of chocolate are roughly equivalent in terms of energy intake, varying between 500 and 550 calories per 100 grams. It is the nature of these calories and the nutritional content that will make the difference.
– White chocolate contains cocoa butter, sugar, vanilla and milk. High in fat and sugar, it has no real nutritional value.
– Milk chocolate is made from cocoa mass, cocoa butter, sugar and milk. It contains low quality saturated fats and often too much sugar.
– Dark chocolate is simply cocoa mass, cocoa butter and sugar. It is much richer in nutrients and nourishes the body.
To enjoy the nutritional benefits of chocolate, choose chocolate containing at least 70% cocoa.
Last piece of advice: don’t feel guilty when you eat a square of chocolate. Rather, enjoy the moment of pleasure it gives you. It’s good for your mood and your body.
