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7. The Benefits of Having a Healthy Relationship with Chocolate

Nikita Naterwalla, Founder- Caim by årelang™, explains the benefits of eating a chocolate and how you can have a healthy relationship when eating it without the guilt.

Irresistible, indulgent, ambrosial, mouth-watering. These are some of the words that come to our minds when we talk about chocolate. Ever wonder how chocolate always gives you that instant pick-me-up - whether it's after a breakup, during your period cycles, after a long hard day at work, or when you are just feeling low? NO, it's not your imagination! You feel instant bliss as you pop a piece of chocolate and allow it to slowly melt on your tongue. Chocolate has been known to be a joy stimulant for centuries - only now do we instinctively reach out for them for comfort. But there’s a whole science behind how that works.

Dark Chocolates are rich in phytonutrients like polyphenols, flavonoids, and a whole host of compounds like phenylethylamine, theobromine, anandamide, tryptophan, and over 1500 bioactives that boost the production of the happy hormones – endorphins, in the body. Particularly tryptophan that the brain uses to produce the neurotransmitter Serotonin, which can increase feelings of overall happiness. Serotonin is a feel-good chemical that influences your mood. It’s no wonder the Mayans worshipped chocolate back in the day.

With so much goodness packed in chocolate, one would wonder why it is associated with something that is forbidden and wreath with guilt. It is this ‘complicated’ relationship with chocolate – of joy followed by guilt that is potentially harmful. Our guilt responses to chocolates are induced by negative food related cognitions. Research shows that guilt responses to any food, be it chocolate or even milk for that matter, generally results in increased cravings for the food, resulting in loss of control and unhealthy eating habits – that’s psychology 101! And we all know that eating anything in excess is unhealthy, be it chocolate or broccoli.

So, indulging in a little chocolate can be a good thing. In fact, dark chocolate, made from cocoa pods with little to no added sugar that is 70% and over can really benefit your body in more ways than one:

1. It is a great source of vitamins and minerals like zinc, iron, copper, magnesium, phosphorus. In fact, a 100g of chocolate can give up to 11g of fibre and has 67% of the DV for Iron, 58% DV for Magnesium, 89% of the DV for Copper, and 98% of DV for Manganese.

2. Rich in antioxidants like flavonoids. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals and prevent oxidative stress. Oxidative stress contributes to the natural aging process but chocolates help anti-aging.

3. Promotes heart health. Regularly eating dark chocolate may help reduce the development of heart disease, manage blood pressure, and lower cholesterol.

4. It may help lower bad cholesterol levels. The polyphenols and theobromine in dark chocolate help lower levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in the body and increase levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol.

5. Anti-inflammatory in nature. Dark chocolate contains compounds with anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce inflammation in the body.

6. It may help improve brain function. Studies suggest that the flavonoids present in dark chocolate may enhance neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s ability to reorganize itself, particularly in response to injury and disease, and help improve brain function and help prevent neurodegenerative conditions, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

7. It is a mood enhancer and stress buster - now you don’t really need a study to tell you that unwinding with a bar of chocolate at the end of the day, simply provides the comfort you need to end a stressful day and puts you in the right mood for the rest of the night!

Craving a little chocolate should be encouraged. This will help establish a balanced relationship between chocolate and you. Enjoy, savour and devour it. Make it a mindful addition to your diet and have a small piece everyday – without the guilt. Let it bring you the joy you deserve. Of course, read your labels, check on that sugar and preservatives. Get your hands on some Candyceuticals that pack nutrients from plant-based sources. That is real ‘wellness’ indulgence. A relationship that is always a win-win. A relationship with a whole lotta love.