The feel good factor provided by chocolate and sweets means that many people use confectionery as an instant life when their energy levels are low. The problem is that by relying on chocolate and sweets to get that immediate blood sugar fix, these foods can too easily become a regular part of our diet More often than not, sweets are merely a source of empty calories and can suppress the appetite for more nutritious food at mealtimes. Chocolate does have some nutritional value, but it is high in fat and so can contribute to weight gain if eaten in excessive amounts.
Nutritionally, chocolate contains some protein, variable amount of sugar and certain minerals. Plain chocolate is useful source of iron and magnesium, for example, and all chocolate contains potassium. Chocolate also contains compounds which act as mild stimulants, which may also be responsible for causing MIGRAINE in susceptible people. Because chocolate is high in fat-about-thirty percent by weight. It is also high in calories. Chocolate also contains the caffeine which increase alertness’. In addition there are some people who find eating chocolate soothing because they associate it with comfort as reward from their childhood.
How is chocolate made?
Chocolate is made from the fruit of the cacao tree which is found in South America. Indeed cocoa beans the seeds of the tree were used as a form of money by the Aztec civilization of Mexico some three thousand years ago .Chocolate confectionery is made by adding sugar additional fat and milk-in the case of milk chocolate. Cocoa beans undergo a considerable amount of processing before chocolate is produced. First they fermented and sun-dried before being bagged for export.
· Chocolate does less harm to the teeth than other forms of sugar confectionary.
· There is no conclusive evidence that eating chocolate causes acne as makes it worse although acne sufferers are usually advised to cut down on chocolate.
· Sweets are a major cause of dental caries especially if consumed frequently between meals.
· The sugar in sweets does not cause hyperactivity in children, but the caffeine in chocolate can keep some people awake at night.
· There is no doubt that regular consumption of sugary foods and sweets and sweet drinks leads to tooth decay
· . A small 125g bar of dark chocolate contains more caffeine than a cup of instant coffee
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