It’s hard to imagine what our world would look like without chocolate. Dramatic statement? Maybe. But chocolate has been around for literally thousands of years, and although it wasn’t always in the form of a Snickers bar or a Godiva truffle, ancient civilizations cherished it just as much. While many people (especially women, according to studies) view chocolate as a “guilty pleasure”, there actually are some benefits to this ancient and delicious treat.
A Brief History of Chocolate
Chocolate is made from fermented, roasted and ground cacao seeds. Cacao is the word used to describe the plant and the seeds, while cocoa is generally used to refer to its ground-up form and chocolate is the word to describe anything made from cocoa. Recent research suggests that ancient civilizations were using cacao about 4000 years ago, although in a pretty different form than we’re used to seeing nowadays.
Research suggests that Mayans and Aztecs believed cacao beans had magical and spiritual properties, and used them in the form of a beverage for special ceremonies and rituals. It wasn’t until the Spanish arrived in Central America that sweeteners were added and it became a popular item in Europe. Even the European cultures believed chocolate to be medicinal and nutritious, and many believed it was a powerful aphrodisiac too.
The Secret Behind American Chocolate
While not confirmed by Hershey’s, there is a reason why American milk chocolate actually tastes different from European varieties. If you’ve ever compared the two yourself, you’ll notice a slightly tangy or sour taste in American milk chocolate (specifically Hershey’s) that is not present in the European Cadbury or similar. When Mr. Milton Hershey began experimenting with the production of his soon-to-be-famous sweets, he wanted to use real, fresh milk for his milk chocolate bars instead of powdered condensed milk as they did in Europe.
According to many theories and speculation, the fresh milk became slightly sour at some point during the production process, giving the chocolate the tangy, sour flavor that Americans then became accustomed to. Now, although the company denies adding butyric acid to their product, there is a small amount present in Hershey’s chocolate to this day, giving it that slightly-spoiled taste we have come to know and love, even if we don’t exactly realize it.
Health Benefits of Chocolate
Chocolate (specifically dark chocolate without added milk/sugars) is actually packed full of health benefits.Dark chocolate has tons of antioxidants, one of which is a flavanol called epicatechin. Here’s what it can do:
Keeps Your Heart Healthy
The flavanols in dark chocolate increase the availability of nitric oxide in your body, which works to dilate (or widen) your blood vessels and reduce blood pressure. A decrease in blood pressure decreases the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Reduces Stress
The antioxidant flavonols in dark chocolate have been found to reduce the production of the stress hormone known as cortisol. While cortisol is helpful in actual fight-or-flight situations, prolonged stress levels can lead to constantly elevated cortisol levels and can cause damage to your body’s main functions.
Supports Your Immune System
As mentioned above, flavanols can reduce the effects of the stress hormone cortisol. During stress, cortisol impairs systems such as the digestive system and immune system, thus making the consumption of antioxidants like flavanol actually beneficial to immune function
Improves Brain Function
Some studies have shown that chocolate can improve your brain function and prevent cognitive decline. It’s theorized that this may be because of the dilation of blood vessels (mentioned above) increasing blood flow to the brain
Don’t go reaching into your Halloween candy just yet, however. Many chocolates we see on store shelves are packed with sugars and other fillers, such as milk or flavorings. To actually witness any of these health benefits, you’ll want to reach for chocolate that is 70% or more dark chocolate. The less processed, the better.
At the end of the day, don’t let yourself feel guilty for “indulging” in foods you enjoy, especially when they aren’t all that bad! Chocolate is something that has always been viewed as sacred, and I, for one, completely agree.
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