– Why Doctor: Young and old love chocolate. In 2021, average consumption in France was 13.2 kg per household. In addition to its taste assets, this food is full of multiple benefits. But what are its beneficial properties for health?
Bettina Sarhosoglu: Chocolate lifts our spirits! After eating it, you feel more soothed thanks to its high magnesium content. This “pleasure food” also contains tryptophan, an amino acid that promotes the production of serotonin, the happiness hormone. Tryptophan helps regulate stress and anxiety.
Eating chocolate also helps you sleep better. In detail, serotonin, released thanks to tryptophan, is transformed into melatonin, a hormone that regulates biological rhythms. Another virtue: this food helps to fight against fatigue. Thanks to its richness in antioxidants, flavonoids and polyphenols, it helps to regain energy. Consuming chocolate candies is also beneficial for intellectual performance. These improve concentration and memory.
Several studies have shown that chocolate can reduce the risk of developing heart disease. Is it really good for the heart?
To fight against heart disease, it is better to eat lots of fruits and vegetables, which are rich in fiber and flavonoids, than to consume chocolate, which contains a large amount of fat.
White, milk, dark: which chocolate should be favored to stay healthy?
When we eat this food, our goal is to melt with pleasure. Thus, we can turn to the type of chocolate that we like the most. But, to stay healthy, it is recommended to consume dark chocolate that contains at least 60% cocoa. The latter contains more fat, but it has less sugar.
The richer the dark chocolate in cocoa, the more bitter it will be. When you are not used to it, it requires rehabilitation of the palate. Each time you eat this food, you should gradually increase the percentage of cocoa.
Chocolate: “it is essential to eat it with full awareness”
When is the best time to eat chocolate?
It is advisable to consume this “pleasure food” at snack time, that is to say around 5 p.m., because it promotes sleep. However, if you need to end your meal on a sweet note, it is better to enjoy a small square after your lunch than to eat a viennoiserie or a pastry. Whenever you consume chocolate, it is essential to eat it mindfully and to take the time to taste it well, accompanying it with tea, coffee or fruit.
How much chocolate should you not exceed per day?
If you stay moderate, you can eat chocolate every day. It is better to consume this food daily without being frustrated than to deprive yourself and pounce on it as soon as you have the opportunity, which leads to an unhealthy relationship with food.
You can take advantage of its virtues provided you consume it in moderation. Clearly, it is recommended to eat two squares of chocolate, or 10 g, per day for women and four squares for men. The idea is not to exceed 30 g per day, unless you practice a sporting activity daily. If this consumption of chocolate is integrated into a balanced and varied diet, no weight problem will arise.
End-of-year celebrations: “choosing the right time to savor” chocolate
Can you be addicted to chocolate?
It is possible to become addicted to chocolate. To fight against this addiction, we must limit the number of squares consumed per day, for example, by turning first to a fruit, during the snack, before eating this “pleasure food”. People with a magnesium deficiency can start with a handful of almonds, which are nutritious and filling, and then end up with chocolate.
Another tip: buy individual squares of chocolate to reduce consumption. If you have time, you should focus on relaxation, meditation or yoga to overcome your addiction to chocolate treats.
Can eating too much chocolate cause a liver attack?
In the medical world, a liver attack caused by excessive consumption of chocolate does not exist. But if you ingest too much, you may feel bad, bloated, sick and guilty.
During the end-of-year celebrations, we are more likely to give in to temptation and eat many squares of chocolate. If we receive our loved ones at home, we know the menu. Thus, we can anticipate and know when we are going to taste chocolate. If one is invited, it is advisable to choose the right time to eat and savor this “pleasure food”.