Key Points:
- Cocoa beans contain around 300 different substances.
- They are particularly rich in valuable antioxidants.
Chocolate as a healthy superfood that can be nibbled on continuously? It’s not that simple. However, chocolate is indeed considered healthy as long as it is consumed in moderation.
To determine if chocolate can be classified as a superfood, we first need to answer what superfoods actually are.
Ultimately, it’s a vague marketing term primarily introduced to market exotic foods.
There isn’t a concrete or legally secured definition of superfoods. They usually refer to foods with a high concentration of healthy nutrients.
In recent years, foods like chia seeds from Central America and various exotic berries have been promoted as superfoods.
According to an infographic by Statista, superfoods are a major trend. One in five Swiss people has reportedly bought superfoods.
There are also local superfoods
The positive health effects of these superfoods cannot be scientifically proven. There are numerous local foods that bring just as many nutrients to the table.
For instance, the Brazilian acai berry can easily be replaced with local blueberries, and Mexican chia seeds with flaxseeds.
This doesn’t mean exotic superfoods are bad. Acai and goji berries provide variety for morning cereals and can be consumed in various ways.
Matcha tea may not be healthier than regular green tea, but it tastes delicious, especially after a Japanese meal.
The cocoa bean as a superfood
So what does this mean for chocolate as a superfood? Indeed, cocoa beans contain numerous valuable nutrients. They are particularly rich in antioxidants.
These molecules neutralize free radicals in the body that cause numerous cell damages and inflammations. Cocoa beans provide these antioxidants in the form of flavonoids, secondary plant compounds.
Therefore, chocolate could be considered a rejuvenating agent that, thanks to antioxidants, counteracts cell damage and aging processes.
Additionally, chocolate provides other important substances like the amino acid tryptophan. This is a precursor to the neurotransmitter serotonin, also known as the happiness hormone. So, chocolate not only keeps you youthful but also happy.
The problem with superfoods
However, chocolate faces the same issue as most other superfoods: the amounts of nutrients it contains are too low to trigger a significant reaction in the body.
If chocolate lifts your mood, it’s more likely due to psychological processes. Often, the brain has been conditioned since childhood to see chocolate as a comfort food.
While other superfoods can be consumed in large quantities, chocolate presents a problem: its high sugar content, especially in processed milk chocolate, can lead to weight gain with daily consumption. And good mood is unlikely to follow when your pants suddenly feel tight.
Chocolate: not a superfood, but delicious
In conclusion, chocolate is no more a superfood than others. However, it is among the many foods that contain plenty of healthy nutrients.
Especially dark chocolate with a high cocoa content can be healthy when consumed in moderation. Plus, it simply tastes delicious and can lift your spirits just with its flavor!
