Ten Reasons to Love Chocolate
The History of Chocolate
Chocolate is delectable in nearly every form but its traceable origins date back to the Mayan who prepared it specifically for drinking. Chocolate historians suggest that in the Mayan culture only the most prosperous savored the luxurious drink from intricate chocolate goblets.
The Mayan people used chocolate in ceremonies and weddings; exchanged by husband and wife. Ancient burial tombs have been unearthed to find vessels of chocolate at their side.
When the Aztecs overtook the Mayan people, they found the chocolate to be delectable and continued to practice the societal customs and traditions that the Mayans set in motion. The Aztec lore is written that Quetzalcoatl was cast from paradise for giving chocolate to man.
Fast forward to 1907, Nestle, Lindt and Hershey were pumping out chocolate as fast as it could be consumed.
Good For Your Ticker
Although it's debated in the medical community , dark chocolate and cocoa are both rich in antioxidants. Some believe that if you consume moderate amounts of dark chocolate every day it will have bodily benefits such as lowering your blood pressure, improving blood flow to the brain and heart, keep your cardiovascular system running well and reducing your cholesterol.
Silky Smooth Skin
Research also suggests that eating extra-flavonoid-enriched cocoa on a daily basis keeps skin moist, smooth and prevents it from becoming scaly and red when exposed to the sun. Scientists believe that the flavonoids increase blood flow to the skin which improve appearance.
Chocolate Fiction Debunked
- Chocolate is not high in caffeine. Eating milk chocolate is the equivalent of a cup of decaffeinated coffee.
- Eating chocolate does not cause acne. Many studies have been done to prove that there is no scientific link between ingesting chocolate and getting a pimple.
- Chocolate does not cause hyperactivity. It is typically the environment and the child's temperament that cause the behavior.
- Chocolate is not a trigger for migraines. Studies have shown that migraine sufferers do not react to chocolate.
- Chocolate is not physiologically addictive. The desire for chocolate is about the pleasure of what it feels like to eat it as opposed to needing the actual components that make up chocolate.
Blood Sugar Blessing
Since dark chocolate has a low glycemic index - close to plain oatmeal, it will not cause your blood sugar level to spike-and-crash. Eating milk chocolate or white chocolate can cause the roller coaster effect which can alter your moods and energy level.
Chocolate is a Cough Suppressant
Chocolate contains theobromine which is a natural cough suppressant. It's a natural way to remedy coughing as opposed to using cough syrups and this is a treatment that your kiddos will love!
Chocolate is Good for the Brain
Professors at the University of Nottingham used MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) to detect increased brain functioning in subjects who ingested flavanol-rich cocoa. The results confirmed that there was increased brain activity for 2-3 hours after drinking just a single drink of the cocoa. Unfortunately, the high dose flavanol cocoa is not available commercially but was created only for the purpose of scientific study.
Additionally chocolate produces endorphins which give a natural feeling of pleasure and It contains serotonin which acts as an anti-depressant. It seems you cannot go wrong by having a bit of chocolate everyday.
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What is your favorite type of chocolate?
Comments
What a fascinating history of chocolate. I had no idea it could be a cough suppressant. Needless to say, I much prefer chocolate over cough syrup! Voted up and shared.
You sold me. I'm off to the grocery store and just added chocolate to my list. Sadly I probably would have gotten some anyway. Love chocolate! Interesting about the skin. Like you #2 myth, I had always heard the opposite, that it caused breakouts.
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vespawoolf, thank you for the great comment and for voting. I would agree that chocolate trumps cough syrup any day! I appreciate you taking the time to read and share. -K
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Glimmer, I can't pass the check-out lane without perusing the candy bars...ugh! Thank you for reading and commenting. -K
I love chocolate and it's good to know that it is also a cough suppressant. Next time I have this problem I know where to go! Good info and very informative. Voted up.
I thought I knew a lot about chocolate but this disproves that. I didn't know that it was a cough suppressant or that it could increase brain function. At least now I can save money from buying Nyquil.
My favorite chocolate is World's Finest. Now, it is not the best, but who would deny me chocolate that supports charities? ;)
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greatstuff, thank you for reading and voting. I love that it's a cough suppressant - makes me feel a little ill right now :) -K
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Mr Crimxen, thank you for reading and for the great comment. Now you can justify eating chocolate all the time! -K
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Mhatter, thanks for reading and commenting. If eating chocolate would benefit charities then I would toast to that and dive right into the fudge! Great to see you again. -K
Nice hub! Thanks for making me feel good about being a chocolate fiend. I'm actually enjoying a cup of hot chocolate right now. :)
All the more reason to keep my habit of eating chocolate! Love the photos and the support of eating this wonderful elixir!
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Om, Great to hear from you! I'm a big supporter of hot cocoa especially if there are marshmallows involved. Thanks for reading and commenting. -K
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teaches, It's great to find reasons not to give up chocolate! Thank you for reading and commenting. -K
...well this hub subject works for me - chocolate, that is - and I don't know who is sweeter : you or chocolate - but you both deliver the goods and the history and the background was fascinating and the images/pictures looked good enough to eat - there will be mind over matter sometime later on tonight and I will eating some chocolate and thinking about de javu - lake erie time ontario canada 9:39pm and sending you warm wishes and good energy
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epi, My cup runneth over :) Thank you for the wonderful comment. It's good to hear from you again. Every time I read your comment, my day gets better. You're like my own personal chocolate bar. Thank you for reading and for being here. -K
Great reasons for loving chocolate, I will take all of them :)
Wonderful hub, voting up+ and sharing!
Well done! Always happy to have more reasons to justify my love of chocolate. Voted up!
For me chocolate is a divine gift from heaven. I just love dark melted chocolate. The best is "Dagoba Eclipse"...just awesome...I will always vote this hub up!
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LaThing, Thank you for reading and voting. I'm with you, I could put chocolate on just about everything. Recently I noticed my 13 year old putting chocolate syrup on his fruit loops. I'd love to say I have no idea where he gets that but.... :) It's me. Glad you enjoyed the hub, I appreciate you sharing. -K
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Jenn-Anne, Thank you for reading and voting. It seems like we should open a Chocolate Bar - ha ha ha - and then people could order little shots of chocolate, chocolate liqueur and everything chocolate. Appreciate your comment. -K
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newusedcarssacram, I'll have to find some Dagoba Eclipse. I've never heard of it before but I'm always up for trying new things especially when it comes in the form of chocolate. Thank you for reading and voting. -K
Splendid hub!!I personally love everything associated with Chocolate. Chocolate cake, ice-cream etc.The benefits are all-around too,all the more reason to love it!voted up and shared!
I love chocolate, so it's good to read that it has lots of benefits! Great hub, voted up.
Boy, writing an article on Chocolate on Hub Pages is almost like cheating to get a good Hub score. I'm just sayin'. A very interesting piece (pun included and no extra charge). Truth is, I only needed one reason to eat chocolate and it's not here. I love the stuff. Thanks for making my sweet tooth vibrate madly.
Mmm the best things in life... CHOCOLATES! ^_^ love them LOL!
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mmsu, thank you for reading, commenting, voting and sharing. I am with you all the way! There aren't many things that couldn't be done better without chocolate. -K
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nanderson500, I was so happy that there were even benefits involved! It just gave me even more reasons to love it. Thanks for reading, commenting and voting. -K
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sradie, You are right! But how do you get around such a delicious topic! I was eating chocolate one day and it just occurred to me...literally. Ha ha ha. Glad to have your input all the way from the coast! -K
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Rosyel, chocolate is definitely up there with sleeping in and hearing the laughter of my kids! Thank you for reading and commenting. I appreciate it. -K
I have to go passed a home made chocolate shop, but guess what after reading this I won't be passing it by. Thanks, I loved it. Up, interesting and useful.
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CyberShelley, That's great! It would be so tempting to see a chocolate store every day. I'd definitely be stopping in all the time. Thank you for reading and voting. -K
I am saving this and waving it around anytime someone gives me a bad time about eating chocolate. This is awesome! Thanks!
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Daphne, Thanks! I love it, you shouldn't ever have to defend your love of chocolate! Eat it with pride. :) Great to see you again. -K
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