All about chocolate consumption

  In the past, chocolate was accused of various harmful factors to health, from making us gain weight, causing annoying skin problems, to being a void food with no nutritional value. All this has been forgotten thanks to several studies that have discovered what the Aztecs and Mayans seemed to already know: chocolate is very valuable in terms of health. Some of the benefits that have been found are: - Increases libido in women. A study in Italy found that women who like chocolate and consume it have a higher libido. - Fights depression. Chocolate helps us feel better. Studies have shown that it is true; it lifts our spirits, especially during pre-menstrual syndrome. - Helps the heart. Chocolate contains components called flavonoids that help prevent artery congestion, thereby helping to prevent heart attacks and strokes. - They are rich in antioxidants, which are very valuable vitamins for our health. Cocoa is the ingredient that has the highest magnesium levels. - Contains Anandamide, which is a compound that activates brain receptors that produce pleasure and mental clarity. It also aids cardiovascular health, as it contains stearic acid, a fatty substance that quickly converts to oleic acid (like olive oil), and is therefore considered beneficial for the body, as it counteracts bad cholesterol. - Contains dietary fiber. Cocoa contains 6% fiber that dilutes depending on its other ingredients and is beneficial for promoting bowel movement. - The concentration of minerals in cocoa is very high in potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium. The latter is attributed to the ability to improve women's mood, especially during the premenstrual period. It also provides iron, calcium, zinc, copper, and chromium. And vitamins E, B1, and B2. Tips for consuming chocolate If you eat a lot of chocolate sold everywhere, don't doubt it; you are consuming many empty calories in the form of sugar and the worst type of fat, we do not recommend it. What makes chocolate valuable is the cocoa, and to obtain the benefits mentioned above, you should consume dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa concentration. Cocoa alone cannot be consumed because the taste is not pleasant. The more cocoa, the more bitter the chocolate, but it can be used in smoothies and certain dishes like traditional Mexican mole. Common cocoa has a lot of sugar, so if you are trying to control your weight, avoid it and buy sugar-free chocolate. When you crave something sweet and want to break your diet, chocolate is a good option. Recommended chocolate recipes: - Petit Pots de Chocolate - Chocolate Lava Cakes - Chocolate Cake - Chocolate Marquise - Mole Poblano