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What
is chocolate? |
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Chocolate is a processed
delicacy made from the beans
of the cacao tree. The cacao
tree, native to the tropical
Amazonian forests, is an evergreen
tree of the cola family. Chocolate
is a mixture of roasted cocoa,
cocoa butter, and very fine
sugar. Unsweetened (or bitter)
chocolate is available in
squares and is the natural
rich chocolate ground from
the cocoa beans. It has a
full-bodied flavor and is
ideal for baking and cooking.
Sweetened chocolate and chocolate
with various other ingredients
are also increasingly available. |
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What
are the different types of
chocolate in the market? |
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The main attraction of chocolate
is that it offers a form of
self-indulgence. The sweet,
attractive taste and the consistency
and appearance are very pleasing.
There are many different products
within the term of chocolate
and chocolate confectionery,
not just chocolate bar. However,
when we talk about the types
of chocolate, it refers to
three types of chocolate namely:
milk chocolate, white chocolate
and plain chocolate. |
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Why
do people eat chocolate? |
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For pleasure. For health.
As an aphrodisiac. To relax.
Because they can! There is
no doubt that chocolate is
one of the most popular desserts,
beverages, snacks and flavors
on the planet today for both
children and adults alike.
The fact that chocolate is
a highly nutritious option
also makes it extremely versatile.
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When
do we buy chocolate? |
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Chocolate is really a snack
that fits any occasion. From
bite size nuggets that you
can enjoy alone to full fledged
desserts for formal dinner
parties, this ancient delicacy
has become a global favorite.
Celebrations are never complete
without it in some form or
function. Children love it.
Even wine comes in chocolate
flavors! In fact, chocolate
also serves practical purposes
as it is such a rich source
of energy and in a convenient
and compact form. People tend
to buy it as a ration on many
expeditions such as mountain
climbing or hikes for instance.
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Is
chocolate suitable for active
adults? |
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The unique
combination of vitamins, minerals
and other nutrients found
in the cocoa bean has important
positive effects for both
mind and the body. Magnesium
stimulates the memory. Theobromine
and facceine have a positive
effect on the central nervous
system and respiration. At
the same time they reduce
fatigue and improve concentration.
The high dose of calcium and
protein in milk chocolate
strengthens the bones of children
and teenagers. With their
high caloric value in a small
volume, cocoa and chocolate
contain the highest levels
of energy all vegetables.
So, chocolate, with regular
and moderate consumption,
goes hand in hand with an
active lifestyle. |
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Chocolate
is addictive |
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While you may crave the
great taste of chocolate,
it is NOT a drug. So it really
isn’t habit-forming
beyond your own natural desire
for sweets. |
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Chocolate
causes cavities |
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Not really. While it’s
the easy way to explain cavities
and tooth decay it just isn’t
true. In fact, there is speculation
that the cocoa butter in chocolate
coats the teeth and prevents
plaque from forming. The sugar
in chocolate is however a
contributor to dental cavities,
but so is the sugar in any
other food. Additionally,
chocolate melts quickly in
your mouth, so it doesn’t
leave a long-lasting residue
as do some other foods and
beverages. Poor oral hygiene
however DOES lead to cavities.
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Dark
chocolate gives some people
headaches |
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Difficult to explain, certain
individuals do react in this
manner to dark chocolate.
The same people often get
headaches from red wine and
aged cheeses. Some researchers
have associated this with
the chemicals in chocolate,
including caffeine and theobromine;
others say these headaches
occur most commonly in those
prone to migraines. |
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Chocolate
raises your cholesterol level |
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Definitely not true. While
chocolate does contain saturated
fat - often associated with
elevated levels of LDL - the
saturated fat in chocolate
consists primarily of both
stearic and oleic acids, neither
of which has been linked scientifically
to higher LDL numbers. |
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Chocolate
is an aphrodisiac |
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A favorite belief among
people, it is however an urban
legend. While there is a little
evidence to suggest that cocoa
is a mild aphrodisiac, chocolate
contains over 300 different
chemical compounds. Scientists
still don’t understand
exactly why people react so
positively to chocolate or
crave it; theories on both
subjects are plentiful. What
chocolate DOES do is put people
in a good mood – and
who knows what can happen
then right? |
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Chocolate
causes weight gain |
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Yes – as does any
food when done in excess.
If you eat too much chocolate,
you will gain weight. However,
the same applies to eating
too much of almost anything.
Yes, chocolate is a high-fat
food, and if you’re
concerned about your weight
you ought to limit your intake
of high-fat foods. But chocolate
can be enjoyed by most people---in
moderation without any ill
effects. |
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Chocolate
contains caffeine |
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True, but only at a fraction
of the amount contained in
regular coffee and some teas.
Estimates for caffeine in
foods and beverages vary widely,
with widely differing figures
being made available. These
include 60 to 100 mg of caffeine
in 7 to 8 ounces of instant
coffee; in brewed coffee,
that figure starts at 80 mg
and can go up to 135 mg. Caffeine
in tea varies according to
tea type. Eight ounces of
black tea might contain 40
to 50 mg of caffeine, while
the same quantity of green
tea would have around half
that amount, and white tea
has roughly 15 mg of caffeine
per 8 ounces. By contrast,
1 ounce of dark chocolate
has about 20 mg of caffeine,
and an ounce of milk chocolate,
half or less of that, 6 to
10 mg. |
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Is
chocolate junk food? |
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A common misconception about
chocolate is that it’s
a ‘junk’ snack
or food. The truth is rather
different from this view.
In fact, chocolate is highly
nutritious as a food as it
does have nutritional value.
It can in fact contribute
to the overall diet of a person
in a positive fashion. A good
example is the nutrient content
of chocolate milk as compared
to white milk (see below).
It also possesses other supplementary
health benefits including
anti oxidant properties. It’s
also a great source of energy!
However chocolate is primarily
something that you consume
for pleasure and not for health! |
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