Chocolate  

     Chocolate is produced from the cocoa bean. This, after having been fermented, roasted and crushed will give a liquid cocoa paste. From this paste is taken the fat which is better known under the name of cocoa butter.

Chocolate is therefore a mixture of cocoa mass, cocoa butter and sugar. Some may contain milk, cream, vanilla, flavors, dried fruits, almonds, hazelnuts, alcohol ...

• In terms of cocoa, it can be varied  : per 100g  , white chocolate does not contain any (it only contains cocoa butter)  : 0g to 99g for the dark chocolate

• This is why dark chocolate is fatter than milk chocolate because it is more concentrated in cocoa.

• In terms of calories, all chocolates are close to 500 kcal per 100 g which corresponds to 50 g for 1 tile.  

Examples of nutritional values of different types of chocolate  :  

The virtues of chocolate  

• To fight against stress and anxiety , you need to increase your magnesium intake. Dark chocolate contains 112 mg and milk chocolate 60 mg per 100g.  Figures not to be ignored  ! Chocolate allows you to have a feeling of relaxation  , and fight against fatigue.  

         A drop in magnesium causes a drop in energy, and therefore a strong reduction in cortisol (stress hormone) levels.  

• To fight against bad cholesterol , chocolate thanks to its anti-oxidants, called flavonoids, prevents the production of LDL and increases that of HDL.

         The blood carries cholesterol through the blood vessels using proteins. Certain proteins carry cholesterol to the liver during digestion: it is the good cholesterol (called HDL) and the cholesterol put aside is the bad (called LDL) and can block the arteries.

• To keep our brains healthy  : several studies have shown that chocolate improves blood flow to active areas of the brain and therefore helps maintain mental capacities.

• To reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, especially hypertension, chocolate is effective. Indeed  , this allows the blood vessels to "  to release  To make the blood flow more easily. Hence a reduction in blood pressure. The latter is certainly low but it is not negligible given that it would lower the risk of dying of heart and stroke.

          High blood pressure: is a cardiovascular disease characterized by too high blood pressure. The risks associated with this disease can be serious: kidney failure, myocardial infarction, stroke, and heart failure.  

• Many studies have confirmed that ideally you should consume 6 grams of dark chocolate per day, which corresponds to 2 squares. This is not the case with white chocolate, because it does not contain polyphenols.  

         Polyphenols are powerful antioxidants. Many plants and fruits contain grapes, in particular. These antioxidants have a relaxing effect on the arteries. 

In cocoa beans, these polyphenols are called flavonoids.  

• Quite simply, chocolate is an asset on its own. It contains many nutrients  : it is rich in minerals and vitamins .  We have seen that it contains magnesium, but it also provides phosphorus, calcium, iron, potassium, and vitamins (vitamin A, vitamin E  ; and vitamins of group B).

Chocolate certainly has many qualities - an excellent antioxidant, good for cholesterol, reduces hypertension and the risk of cardiovascular disease ...

BUT .... it is still fat and therefore caloric!  

However, chocolate should not be prohibited in a healthy diet, or during a diet for adults and children as it is good for health.

Ideally, and to benefit from its nutritional benefits, it is preferable to limit yourself to 1 or 2 squares per day.