The news that chocolate contains beneficial antioxidants sounds like a good excuse to stock up. But is it really good for us?
Back in the 1500s, chocolate was often attributed with medicinal properties. Brought to Europe from the New World, it was used to help emaciated patients gain weight, stimulate the nervous system and improve digestion. In recent years, its role has changed somewhat. Now it is more likely to be eaten to satisfy cravings or comfort us in emotionally stressful situations.
The healing properties of chocolate
There can be no doubt that chocolate does indeed have healing properties. Studies published in the medical journal The Lancet found that chocolate contains antioxidants such as polyphenols, which have been shown to protect against heart disease, and that it contains four times the amount of catechins (a polyphenol) as tea. Chocolate also contains caffeine, theobromine, phenylethylamine, magnesium and anandamides (fatty-acid type substances).
So could these pharmacological properties go some way towards explaining our desire to eat it? Not according to professor David Benton, professor of psychology at the University College of Wales. Professor Benton claims that they are not present in large enough quantities to fulfil any deficiencies in our bodies. He points out that, although scientific evidence suggests we crave chocolate when our magnesium levels are low during pre-menstruation, we would have to eat a ‘ton of the stuff’ to redress the imbalance.
Professor Benton says that our cravings are more likely to be psychological. His studies have shown that we crave or seek comfort from chocolate during emotionally stressful situations, and that eating it goes hand-in-hand with a poor body image and negative feelings.
He also claims that it is the taste and texture of chocolate that draws us to it. We’re all born with a liking for sweetness, and chocolate’s unique combination of sweetness and fat makes it a highly desirable and palatable food.
So what does this mean in terms of your everyday diet? Should we rush out and stock up in order to boost our antioxidant levels? Sadly, the answer is no. While it’s good news that chocolate does have some health properties, it’s important to include other sources of antioxidants in your diet, such as those from fruit, vegetables, tea and red wine. Different foods contain different levels and types of antioxidants, and you need to get them from lots of different sources to guard against heart disease.
Make it count: tasty chocolate indulgences