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Let's talk about this food that is part of our lives, and has a symbolic value associated with hedonism, indulgence, refinement, sophistication and enjoyment.

Chocolate as you know you get to mix sugar and two products derived from cocoa beans, cocoa paste (solid) and cocoa butter (fat). This product as we all know what brought Columbus to America. Its origin is from the Orinoco Basin in the Amazon, the Indians ate it long ago, being in vessels dated to the years 900-1900 BC At this time the product was consumed in fermented liquid form, like a beer.

Apparently on his first arrival in Europe was not very successful, for its bitter taste and looks dirty. But later, although it is not known specifically as he began to mix with sugar and some spices like cinnamon, pepper, vanilla, it is believed that this was the case in religious orders in Mexico, as here in Spain. And curiously, and some religious orders was forbidden by his powerful exciting value in those taking it. You see, according to ancient symbolism surrounding a whole. Until 1657, this product was mixed with water, and on this date in England is the first time that when mixed with milk and even eggs. In Turin solidifies and creates the famous tablet, in the eighteenth century. And in Switzerland, of course, is installed the first factory in 1819.

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You know that there are plenty of chocolates, but most have added sugar, an emulsifier, which is soy lecithin, vanilla flavor that gives them some carry milk powder or condensed, nuts, and so if often vary greatly is the concentration of cocoa, still only 20% in white chocolate up to 90% dark chocolate in very pure.

Like all foods have their positive qualities and not so much, we will try to analyze them.

Chocolate contains carbohydrates from the starch, and some fiber, but not in significant quantities, so if you usually add sugar quantity is important and if you follow the blog, you know what I think of this hydrate, avoid it whenever you can .
As for the proteins in significant amounts only contain those that is added to milk. The chocolate only contains 12% protein.

The fat from cocoa butter, stearic and palmitic acids contain, they are both saturated fat, and we know the negative effects of these fats, your accumulated as adipose tissue and its importance in the production of LDL or bad cholesterol. Also, many chocolate products, are joined artificially hydrogenated fats, products harmful to health.

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Recently discovered substances contained in cocoa, and make him a healthy food, these are polyphenols, flavonoids, a powerful antioxidant, which protects the circulatory system and heart. It appears that regular consumption lowers blood pressure by up to 8%. Remember that cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death after 40 years in Western societies.
This substance, the largest proportion of black chocolate.

The second positive effect and it is perhaps best known, is that it is a promoter of serotonin, via an amino acid (protein) that is tryptophan. This is an important regulator of neurotransmitters, hence his famous sense of pleasure and substitute other pleasures. It also contains phenylethylamine, a substance from the group of endorphins, is what generates the supposed addictive properties of chocolate. Phenylethylamine has an effect similar to amphetamine, ie improving mood.

Chocolate contains theobromine, has a stimulating effect on central nervous system similar to caffeine. The caffeine content of a cup of coffee is 100 milligrams, theobromine constitutes 2% of the cocoa bean, and 200 milligrams of theobromine are present in a medium tablet.

In summary, nutritionally a highly caloric, with enough fat, but as we said recently an important antioxidant value. If you want to give you a whim, without harming your health, consume pure black chocolate, and with the least amount of sugar, in moderation, and avoid white chocolate, is the least healthy.