FAQs
Increases heart health: The antioxidants in dark chocolate have been shown to lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of clotting and increase blood circulation to the heart, thus lowering the risks of stroke, coronary heart disease and death from heart disease.
How much chocolate is OK for you? ›
How much chocolate can I eat a day? Experts say the recommended “dose” is approximately 1 to 2 ounces or 30-60g. Indulge in anything more than that, and you may be consuming too many calories. A 1.45-ounce (41 gram) Hershey's Special Dark Chocolate Bar has 190 calories.
Why is it called chocolate? ›
Etymology. According to the authority on the Spanish language, the Royal Spanish Academy, the Spanish word "chocolate" is derived from the Nahuatl word "xocolatl" (pronounced Nahuatl pronunciation: [ʃoˈkolaːtɬ]), which is made up from the words "xococ" meaning sour or bitter, and "atl" meaning water or drink.
What is the healthiest chocolate to eat? ›
Dark chocolate is by far the healthiest form of the treat, containing the least sugar and, because of its cocoa content, higher levels of substances that protect the body's cells. If sugar is your number one concern, Allers recommends looking for higher percentages.
What are the side effects of eating chocolate? ›
Eating large amounts might cause caffeine-related side effects such as nervousness, increased urination, sleeplessness, and a fast heartbeat. Cocoa can cause allergic skin reactions and might also trigger migraine headaches. It can also cause nausea, stomach discomfort, constipation, and gas.
What happens if I eat too much chocolate? ›
Eating too much chocolate may result in adverse effects on the nervous and cardiovascular systems, stomach problem, palpitations, insomnia or extra systoles. Though the benefits offered by chocolate are no less than its side effects due to its too much consumption, still people should avoid eating it too much.
How often is too often to eat chocolate? ›
The daily allowance for adult men and women without health problems is 30-50 grams of dark chocolate every day. With high physical exertion, an increase in the norm by 1.5 times is allowed. Doctors recommend eating milk and white chocolate - no more than 20 grams per day.
Who first ate chocolate? ›
Chocolate history starts out around 1000BC in Latin America, where cacao trees grow wild. The first people to use chocolate were probably the Olmec of what is today southeast Mexico, and their word, “kakawa,” gave us our word “cacao.”
How did Aztecs drink chocolate? ›
Rather than eating chocolate as a solid, the Aztecs enjoyed chocolate as a frothy drink made from cocoa beans. It was used in a wide variety of important social events, from diplomatic alliances to marital negotiations.
How did Native Americans use chocolate? ›
The Mayan culture used chocolate as currency and the Aztec culture used the cacao bean as payment for tribute because it was so highly revered. The Aztecs also created xocoatl, a spicy hot chocolate drink that mixed cacoa beans, corn flour, water and chilies which was popular with the upper classes.
Also, chocolate is high in sugar and saturated fat. It is a high-energy (high calorie) food, and too much can result in excess weight, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Healthier sources of polyphenols include beans, pulses, fruit and vegetables.
What does chocolate do to your stomach? ›
Chocolate contains fat in the form of cacao butter. Milk and white chocolate also typically contain added fat from milk. Eating content high in fat typically causes the digestive system to produce more bile in order to aid digestion. This can result in a higher level of acid in your stomach.
What chocolate does to your brain? ›
Chocolate contains a chemical compound called phenylethylamine (PEA) which is known to increase levels of dopamine in the areas of our brain responsible for pleasure and reward. This is why chocolate can trigger feelings of pleasure and happiness.
Chocolate begins with the seeds of the cacao tree. The cacao tree grows in warm areas of North and South America, Africa, and Asia. The seeds form in long, cucumber-shaped fruits called pods. When the pods are ripe, workers cut them from the tree and remove the seeds. The seeds sit for several days before being dried, either by the Sun or in an oven. The dry seeds, called cocoa beans, are then shipped to processing plants or chocolate factories.