Positive Health Online

Originally published in India First 1 October 2023 Page 43

https://indiafirstepaper.com/epaper/

A brace of squares at lunch time, or dinner. Or, a steaming cup before bedtime. Just think of a simile – “Wouldn’t it be ‘loverly?’” as Eliza Doolittle (Audrey Hepburn) crooned, with her rural English twang, in “My Fair Lady.” Chocolate is, doubtless, considered a blissful indulgence – the best part is it all adds up to your delight over time.

To highlight a statistical example. The US alone consumes 2.8 billion pounds of chocolate. What’s more, research suggests that all of this ‘chocoholism’ may not be entirely self-indulgent after all. Studies have shown that, when consumed with restraint, the flavonoids in chocolate can help reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. In addition, a study at Harvard School of Public Health found that men who regularly ate small amounts of chocolate live an average of one year longer than men who abstain completely from chocolates’ myriad delights.

This is not all. Chocolates have been found to ‘don’ a potentially useful role in improving memory. Memory specialists suggest that certain compounds in dark chocolate, known as procyanidins, can help counteract oxidation and inflammation in the brain – the two conditions frequently associated with decreased cognitive function. As a matter of fact, dark chocolate’s antioxidant benefits have been favourably compared with the health benefits of red wine. Think of all this as a flurry of dramatic headlines touting chocolate’s

surprising health benefits, or merely the desire to enjoying the good, old standby – yet the fact is chocolate is undoubtedly experiencing a renaissance in its public image.

The US chocolate industry, for instance, has been experiencing record growth and popularity in recent times – at either end of the consumer spectrum. Also, while the popularity of commercial milk chocolate products remains high, public demand is increasing too for high-quality, premium-priced gourmet chocolates – not just in the West, but also worldwide. Not surprisingly, the fascination for high-end chocolate has led to a veritable explosion in the number of small boutique chocolatiers crafting speciality flavours. One US gourmet chocolate maker unveiled, some years ago, a milk chocolate flavoured with French lavender essence – while ‘retailing’ it for just one bar.

Picture this. During one Annual Chocolate Meet, chocolatiers from across the globe unveiled truffles, bars and chocolate sauces containing a sparkling array of new, delectable, deliciously alluring flavourings and ingredients. Among the most highly-reviewed new-fangled chocolate flavourings were coriander, curry, cumin, green tea, lime, black sesame, soy butter, and also balsamic vinegar – among several catchy presentations, and not just concoctions. If this isn’t a smorgasbord of choco-delights, what is?

It ought to be underlined that dark chocolate contains a higher flavanol content – this has obvious health benefits. Milk chocolate, in comparison, contains much less, while white contains none. Dark chocolate is a good source of soluble fibre, vitamins, and minerals, viz., iron, zinc, magnesium, among others, aside from having low sugar content. You’d derive the best health benefits when you select dark chocolates with 70-80 per cent cocoa content with minimal sugar used in them.

Well, not everything is hunky-dory in the dark chocolate saga. There were reports of iron, copper, and zinc – which our body is naturally endowed with – in several popular brands of dark chocolate. Too much of a good thing, as you’d know, may trigger health issues. This was not all. Heavy metals, like cadmium and lead, albeit in low levels, were also found in some dark chocolates. This can interfere with metabolic functions and undermine our health. The key is, therefore, moderation – including moderation.

Whatever your favoured chocolate, or liking, with a dash of spice, or touch of tartness, chances are there is a customised chocolate product designed especially for your palate. This is one obvious reason why some chocolate makers are responding to increased health-awareness among consumers. Their offerings include fortified chocolate products, or ‘spa’ chocolates, made with concentrations of antioxidants, rather than standard dark chocolate. In addition to this, there are a host of eye-catching chocolate products – they include healthful ingredients, viz., dried blueberries, almonds, sunflower seeds and soy nuts. The list is representative.

So, there you are. With oodles of chocolate varieties to sample, and so much research suggesting that a truffle, or two, a day would not be such a health ‘no-no,’ after all, one may nonchalantly proclaim that it is time you give in to your sweet tooth, while falling for the chocolate allure, just as the renowned Irish playwright Oscar Wilde famously said, “I can resist anything except temptation” – if you haven’t had your latest chocolate fill yet.

Acknowledgement Citation

Originally published in India First 1 October 2023 Page 43

https://indiafirstepaper.com/epaper/