The Link Between Chocolate And Digestion

By Catalina Nielsen


People all over the world love eating chocolates but not many are aware that there can be significant health benefits gained from eating them. Looking into the question of chocolate and digestion, it becomes obvious that the ingredients used in the manufacture of the chocolates have a large part to play. Many producers manufacturing chocolates today take health considerations very seriously. Dark organic chocolate has by far the most significant health and digestive benefits.

The use of organic ingredients means that they are cultivated without using pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, ionizing radiation or genetically modified organisms. The cocoa beans usually come from West African countries where the humid tropical climate and regular rainfall are particularly suited to their cultivation. The more cocoa mass found in a product, the more benefits there are for health.

Cocoa beans contain polyphenols with antioxidant properties. These antioxidant flavonoids reduce the risk of blood clotting and this helps prevent heart attacks and strokes. Cocoa can increase the serotonin level in the brain. This is probably why people suffering from depression or PMS often reach for chocolates.

Cocoa beans are rich in many essential vitamins and minerals. They contain vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C and E. The minerals they contain include calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, copper and zinc. All of these are vital to proper functioning of all the bodily systems.

The percentage of cocoa contained in a product is found on the wrapper. The higher the percentage, the better the health benefits. It is the other ingredients used in chocolates that cause all the problems, such as fillers high in calories and large quantities of sugar. Many manufacturers are turning to unrefined cane sugar or not using sugar at all in their products. However, taste is also important and in order to deal with the bitterness, other ingredients like fruits and vanilla may be added.

Chocolates contain milk and this could cause digestive problems for those who are lactose intolerant. These people are usually deficient in an enzyme called lactase which is needed to break down the complex sugar found in the milk, enabling it to be digested. If this lactose is not broken down it can cause problems like bloating and abdominal pain. There are dairy-free products available for such individuals, containing substitutes such as coconut milk.

Some people suffer from digestive diseases or irritable bowel syndrome and they find that eating chocolates can affect them adversely. However, for all those people who do not have digestive problems, eating chocolates can be of benefit to the digestive system. Chocolates contains a sufficient amount of fiber to help with peristaltic movement and stimulate the production of digestive enzymes.

When it comes to chocolate and digestion, there is no question that eating it can be beneficial, depending on the quality and type of product chosen. Manufacturers are catering more and more to the demands of discerning customers who want to eat chocolates that benefit their health without all the added fillers, sugars and other harmful ingredients.




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