Chocolate is loved and consumed by everyone. It is argued that the best choice of chocolate, which has many different varieties, will be dark chocolate. In the news on the BBC, it was investigated whether chocolate is really healthy. It’s debatable whether traditionally consuming cocoa, that is, without adding other additives, is beneficial for health. Expert Marji McCullough, director of epidemiological studies at the American Cancer Society, cites the Kuna Indians of the San Blas Islands, northwest of Panama, as an example. Their low blood sugar does not increase with age, they have low rates of heart attack, diabetes and cancer, and the age at death is quite high.
THEY EAT TWICE AS MUCH OF FRUIT AND FISH
Contrary to scientific research’s findings that excess salt raises blood sugar, this population’s salt consumption is much higher than that of the average person living in the United States. When McCullough went to the area to learn about the daily food consumption of the Kuna Indians, he noticed that they drank about four cups of cocoa, or water with cocoa and low sugar. But he wasn’t sure if their health was entirely dependent on cocoa, because he found that the Kuna Indians also consumed twice as much fruit and four times as much fish as the US average. They also had very active lifestyles.
REDUCES THE RISK OF HEART ATTACKS
The reason why residents of the San Blas Islands of Panama are healthier than predicted is probably because they drink high-flavonoid chocolate. There are many studies on whether dark chocolate is good for heart health. In one study, researchers observed the eating habits and health of 20,000 people. 100 gr including milk. People who ate chocolate had a lower risk of heart attack and disease. In this study, which was conducted considering other factors such as smoking or doing physical exercise, other factors may have influenced the result.
CONTAINS 4 TIMES MORE FLAVONOIDS THAN TEA
In another study on the use of cocoa as a food supplement and multivitamin and involving 21 thousand people, 400-500 gr daily. Those who take food supplements with cocoa flavonoids have a lower risk of dying from heart disease, as their blood sugar and inflammation in the body are lowered. According to Professor JoAnn Manson of Harvard Medical School, scientists use supplements instead of real cocoa because each chocolate brand contains a different amount of flavonoid concentrate. This amount varies according to the collection and processing method. Dark chocolate can contain up to four times more flavonoids than tea. However, research shows that the amount of flavonoids decreases during the production process.
THERE MAY BE THE REASON FOR THEIR HEALTHY CHOCOLATE WITH HIGH FLAVONOIDS
Gunter Kuhnle, professor of nutrition and food at the University of Reading, notes that there is no consensus yet on the amount of cocoa flavonoids that should be taken to provide health benefits. The reason why residents of the San Blas Islands of Panama are healthier than predicted is probably because they drink high-flavonoid chocolate.
BENEFITS OF BITTER CHOCOLATE
- It is a powerful source of antioxidants
- Improves blood flow and lowers blood pressure
- Good for heart health
- Lowers the risk of heart disease
- May protect the skin from the harmful effects of the sun
- May improve brain function
- It is an energy source
- It gives happiness