Eating chocolate every day – it sounds like a childhood dream. But what really happens? What are the health risks and benefits? And does it make a difference what kind of chocolate you eat? We will give you the perfect guide on how to eat chocolate while enjoying the best online casino.
Chocolate is one of Germany’s favorite sweets: according to the Federal Statistical Office, in 2023, the average person consumed over 13 kilograms – a good 2.6 chocolate bars per week.
Cocoa – the basis of chocolate – was used as a food and luxury food by the indigenous people of South America thousands of years ago. In Europe, cocoa, which is rather bitter by nature, was not initially well received and only became widespread when people began to use honey or sugar to sweeten it.
Incidentally, at the beginning of the 19th century, chocolate was sold in pharmacies as a tonic.
How Chocolate Is Made
The production of chocolate is not that simple: first the cocoa beans are fermented, dried, roasted, ground, de-oiled and processed into cocoa mass. The cocoa mass is then mixed with sugar, cocoa butter and, if necessary, dairy products and spices. This mass is finely ground with rollers so that the ingredients (especially the sugar crystals) are as fine as possible. The chocolate mass is then heated and grated in a conching machine. Finally, the mixture is tempered and poured into molds.
What Is Behind The Different Varieties?
According to the German Food Association, adults in Germany prefer to eat milk, nougat and dark chocolate. The varieties differ in the amount of sugar, cocoa butter, cocoa mass and milk powder they contain. The Cocoa Ordinance states:
● Milk chocolate must contain at least 25 percent total cocoa solids, 14 percent milk solids, 2.5 percent fat-free cocoa solids and 3.5 percent milk fat.
● Chocolate must contain at least 35% total cocoa solids, 18% cocoa butter and 14% fat-free cocoa solids.
● White chocolate is light because it contains no dark-colored cocoa powder, only cocoa butter. It must contain at least 20 percent cocoa butter and 14 percent milk solids.
● The term dark or bittersweet chocolate is not defined in food law, but is classified as “chocolate” in the Cocoa Ordinance. However, the percentage of cocoa in dark chocolate is usually stated on the packaging: the higher the percentage, the darker the chocolate and the less sugar it contains. Incidentally, dark chocolate is often vegan by nature.
These Are The Nutritional Values Of Chocolate
Anyone who eats chocolate every day should know this: In terms of macronutrients, it mainly contains carbohydrates (sugar) and fat. However, it also contains some other nutrients.
The following table provides an overview (based on 100 grams of chocolate):
Comparison of the nutritional value of different types of chocolate
Nutritional comparison of different types of chocolate (source: nutrient calculator)
The nutritional values of different types of chocolate differ greatly in some cases: while milk and white chocolate contain significantly more sugar, vitamin A and vitamin B2, 85% and 100% chocolate have significantly more fiber and higher levels of iron, magnesium and potassium.
What Happens If You Eat Chocolate Every Day? The Benefits
- Important: The possible benefits mainly refer to dark chocolate with a high cocoa content and rather little sugar. Make sure you also read the following section on the risks. Because these can cancel out some of the benefits.
- Your mood improves: Dark chocolate in particular contains theobromine, a compound that can lift your mood and promote a sense of well-being. Chocolate also stimulates the production of endorphins, the so-called “happiness hormones”, which increase your sense of well-being.
- Your heart health could be strengthened and your risk of cardiovascular disease reduced: Some studies suggest that the consumption of dark chocolate can have a beneficial effect on blood vessels and blood pressure. This effect is attributed in particular to the secondary plant substances (flavonoids) it contains.
- Your mental performance is maintained: A 2016 study showed that chocolate consumption reduced the risk of cognitive decline in people over 65.
- Your risk of chronic diseases could decrease: Dark chocolate contains phytochemicals. These help to fight free radicals in the body and thus reduce the risk of chronic diseases. However, a study from 2020 indicates that the scientific evidence is still insufficient.