Chocolateism

Saturday, November 10, 2007

Chocolate Myths

1) Chocolate causes acne, or eating chocolate can worsen acne . This was once a widely-accepted statement, but further research has shown that eating chocolate does not cause or exacerbate acne. Acne is caused by hormonal imbalances.

2) Chocolate contains caffeine. True, but only a fraction of the amount contained in regular coffee and some teas. Estimates for caffeine in foods and beverages vary widely, but I’ve seen figures ranging from 60 to 100 mg of caffeine in 7 to 8 ounces of instant coffee; in brewed coffee, that figure starts at 80 mg and can go up to 135 mg. Caffeine in tea varies according to tea type. Eight ounces of black tea might contain 40 to 50 mg of caffeine, while the same quantity of green tea would have around half that amount, and white tea has roughly 15 mg of caffeine per 8 ounces. By contrast, 1 ounce of dark chocolate has about 20 mg of caffeine, and an ounce of milk chocolate, half or less of that, 6 to 10 mg.

3) Chocolate causes weight gain. This can be accurate; if you eat too much chocolate, you’ll probably start to put on pounds. However, the same applies to eating too much of almost anything. Yes, chocolate is a high-fat food, and if you’re concerned about your weight you ought to limit your intake of high-fat foods. But chocolate can be enjoyed by most people---in moderation

4) Chocolate causes hyperactivity in kids and/or worsens ADHD. A link between chocolate consumption and hyperactivity in children has not been established. That also applies for any link suggested between sugar consumption and hyperactivity. However, it has been suggested that consumption of chocolate and/or sugar (as well as of some other foods) can cause symptoms that mimic those of ADHD or hyperactivity.

5) Chocolate is an aphrodisiac. An especially popular urban legend. Some evidence suggests that cocoa is, in fact, a mild aphrodisiac. However, chocolate contains over 300 different chemical compounds. Scientists still don’t understand exactly why people react so positively to chocolate or crave it; theories on both subjects are plentiful. Such being the case, it seems reasonable that they might not fully grasp chocolate’s effect on the human brain yet. Certainly, chocolate puts many people in a very good, more relaxed mood---particularly women. And there’s never any telling where a good, relaxed mood can lead you…

6) Chocolate is healthy for you. No it isn’t. Chocolate provides pleasure, it provides comfort, it provides a temporary respite from the many cares of this wearying world. Make all the claims about antioxidants and minerals you want, but those are in pure cocoa powder; when comparing nutritional density with other foods on a per-calorie basis, chocolate scores very poorly.

7) Chocolate raises your cholesterol level. Untrue. Chocolate does contain saturated fat, the type often associated with elevated levels of LDL. But the saturated fat in chocolate consists primarily of both stearic and oleic acids, neither of which has been linked scientifically to higher LDL numbers.

8) Dark chocolate gives some people headaches. While it can be difficult to establish a genuine cause, dark chocolate apparently does give some people headaches. The same people often get headaches from red wine and aged cheeses. Some researchers have associated this with the chemicals in chocolate, including caffeine and theobromine; others say these headaches occur most commonly in those prone to migraines.

9) Chocolate causes cavities. Your dentist will have to find another scapegoat; this is not true. In fact, there is speculation that the cocoa butter in chocolate coats the teeth and prevents plaque from forming. The sugar in chocolate is a contributor to dental cavities, but so is the sugar in any other food. Additionally, chocolate melts quickly in your mouth, so it doesn’t leave a long-lasting residue as do some sticky candies, like taffy.

10) People can be addicted to chocolate. Yet another myth. Chocolate cravings can seem overpowering at times, but chocolate is not a habit-forming drug after the manner of heroin or cocaine.

11) We shouldn’t eat chocolate because producing countries use child slaves to tend and harvest the cocoa beans. This is a complex issue, but the short answer is that child slavery is apparently not nearly as prevalent as had originally been thought. In the late 1990’s, articles alleging that child slavery was common on cacao farms in West Africa began to be published. These led to great outcries. But subsequent reports found that almost all of the children found working on such farms had some degree of kinship to the farmer. Additionally, many did not work full-time. Inhabitants of cacao-producing regions are often poor, and because of that it’s frequently necessary for children in such areas to help on these plantations.

posted by Great Wild Fun @ 2:24 PM

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