When it comes to chocolate, people first think of its delicious and unique taste, knowing that it can quickly replenish energy, but rarely mention nutrition, which reflects people's lack of understanding of the nutrition and function of chocolate. Some modern studies believe that chocolate contains chemical components, which can slow down aging, improve mood and enhance interest.
Recently, experts also found that chocolate contains an antioxidant similar to red wine, which can reduce cardiovascular diseases. The ingredients that give chocolate this magical effect come from cocoa beans, which have been eaten in Central America for thousands of years, not only as food, but also as traditional medicine to treat fever, sore throat, palpitation and various diseases. According to experts' research, in the United States and Europe more than 500 years ago, chocolate drinks were used by doctors to treat tuberculosis, anemia, gastrointestinal discomfort, kidney calculi and other diseases.
Chocolate products are rich in flavonoids, namely catechins and procyanidins, which are one kind of polyphenols. Polyphenols are not only the basis of chemical reaction in chocolate production, but also have important physiological functions and are beneficial to health. The preliminary results show that polyphenols in chocolate can reduce the oxidation of low density lipoprotein and regulate platelet activity. Thereby improving cardiovascular health. For this reason, nutritionists advise people to stay away from inferior chocolate products with a lot of food additives, and eat chocolate products with good quality in moderation, which can not only get a good mood, but also strengthen cardiovascular function.
Besides polyphenols, chocolate is beneficial to the cardiovascular system, and it is also rich in minerals necessary for a balanced diet, such as magnesium and potassium. In addition, antioxidants and vitamin C contained in chocolate can also reduce the harm of carcinogens to human body. Therefore, people can eat chocolate in moderation as part of a healthy and balanced diet.
I. Chocolate and polyphenols
Polyphenols are natural compounds found in plant foods and have potential health promotion effects. It exists in some common plant foods, such as cocoa, tea, soybeans, red wine, some vegetables and fruits. Although polyphenols are widely found in plant foods and beverages, their contents and structures in different foods and beverages are quite different. Compared with other foods, the content of polyphenols in cocoa beans is particularly high.
Second, chocolate and tooth protection.
Chocolate is different from candy because it dissolves quickly, is not easy to stay in the mouth, and does little harm to teeth. According to the American Dental Center, milk chocolate and chocolate biscuits are one of the snacks that cause the least dental caries. It is based on the fact that milk chocolate is rich in minerals such as protein, calcium and phosphate, which have the function of protecting teeth. In addition, due to the delicate fluidity brought by the special melting point of cocoa butter, milk can pass through the mouth faster than other sweets. But that doesn't mean you can chew chocolate and sleep soundly.
Third, chocolate and weight control.
Many people think that eating chocolate will lead to obesity and diabetes, but this is actually a misunderstanding.
Although the fat content in chocolate is much higher than other foods, the cocoa butter contained in chocolate is an unsaturated fatty acid, which will not make people fat. A large number of experiments show that cocoa butter will not increase the cholesterol content in blood. Statistics show that in weight control, it is more important to control the ratio of total calorie intake to calories consumed in physical activity every day. Actually, chocolate doesn't have that many calories. A bar of 1.4 ounce chocolate contains about 2 10 calories-almost low enough to be included in a weight control diet. Experts pointed out that although chocolate has high fat content, its cocoa butter is unsaturated fatty acid, which will not increase human immunity. Excessive consumption of any kind of food has adverse effects, so it is very important to eat scientifically. Instead of denying the food itself.
As for the fear that too much sugar in chocolate will lead to diabetes, it is also unfounded. According to experts, diabetes is not caused by eating sucrose; Moreover, at present, the per capita sugar in China is only 17 grams per day, and it is absolutely safe to eat 30-50 grams of sugar per day.
Chocolate is rich in nutrition. Every 100g of chocolate contains about 50g of carbohydrate, 30g of fat and about 15g of protein, and also contains more zinc, vitamin B2, iron and calcium. Chocolate can provide high energy, and each kilogram of chocolate can provide 6 100 kilocalories, which is much higher than eggs, fish and other foods. When you are too late for breakfast, nervous at work, weak after illness and have a lot of exercise, you can eat some chocolate to supplement your energy.
According to expert research, because chocolate is small in size, high in calories and easy to absorb, it is helpful for pregnant women to eat a few pieces before labor. Last September, The Lancet magazine published the results of a research group in the United States, saying that chocolate contains phenol, which can prevent heart disease. Lecithin added to chocolate, its phosphorus content is beneficial to children's brain development. In addition, chocolate contains a small amount of exciting ingredients, which can refresh the mind and replenish energy when people are tired, which is good for drivers and writers. These are probably unmatched by other foods.
Of course, like anything, extremes meet. Eating a moderate amount of chocolate is good for your health.
Fourth, chocolate prefers boys to girls.
Eating chocolate for men can ward off colds, which is another boon for chocolate lovers. At a scientific seminar on chocolate, Dr. Crowe of university of westminster in London pointed out that the smell of chocolate can improve men's immune system and produce an antibody called immunoglobulin A, which exists in saliva and can deal with minor physical problems, such as colds. Interestingly, the strengthening effect of chocolate on human immune system only exists significantly in men, and women seem to be completely unaffected.
In recent years, major chocolate manufacturers have increased their research on chocolate and developed some functional chocolates. The functional food company in Michigan, USA, has developed "smart chocolate", which contains many medicinal plant ingredients, such as Hypericum, Ginseng, Ginkgo biloba and green tea. It has many functions, such as refreshing, enhancing memory, relaxing mood, improving interest and so on. A chocolate-flavored radish was developed in England to arouse children's interest in eating vegetables.