CHOCOLATE IS THE ANSWER, WHAT'S THE QUESTION?
By Emma Davies
Smashing avocado, spiralising courgette, cold pressing kale – these are just some of the lengths we will go to ensure our bodies get the right nutrients. What if the thing we try to avoid, our old friend (and foe) the humble bar of chocolate is the answer?
Penned by the ancient Incas as ‘the drink of the Gods’, evidence suggests that Aztec Emperor Montezuma drank cocoa in large quantities, claiming the ‘divine drink’ builds up resistance and fights fatigue. It all sounds very romantic, but new scientific evidence suggests that these fifteenth-century theories may carry some weight.
Recent interest in the health benefits of chocolate was sparked by studies on the cocoa consuming peoples
of Central America. Research demonstrated that the Kuna, an indigenous group of people who drink large amounts of cocoa with high salt content, have low blood pressure and significantly lower death rates from cardiovascular disease compared to populations in the rest of the world.
So what’s in the good stuff?
Dark chocolate is made from the seeds of cocoa trees. Studies have proven that the cocoa found in dark chocolate has numerous health benefits, ranging from enhancing cardiovascular health to having anti-cancer properties and reducing mortality. The high level of antioxidants in cocoa is thought to be largely responsible for these benefits.
A good quality dark chocolate (70% cocoa content, or above) is rich in iron, magnesium, manganese, copper and fibre - all key for optimum health.
What does the nutritionist say?
Nutritionist Tanya Fatal says: “Remember to eat dark chocolate in moderation; although cocoa may be good for you, portion control is essential.”
Whilst cocoa is rich in antioxidants and nutrients, it still remains high in calories and fat. One average serving of dark chocolate is roughly the same size as a business card (2 squares) and contains approximately 120 calories and 7g of fat (of which 4g saturates).
So it’s still a cheeky treat, we can just feel less guilty about it now!
If you want to get creative and bake your own healthy chocolate snack, check out this video.