Chocolate, is it really devil's food?
For years chocolate has had the reputation for being a "guilty indulgence"
- something with a distinctive and tempting flavour that was resistedby health-conscious
individuals. This reputation can be seen in the factthat chocolate cake is called
"devil's food."
Chocolate was viewed as an unhealthy ingredient for several reasons. Itwas usually
associated with fat and refined sugar. It also contains caffeine.And it has
been blamed for contributing to a variety of problems, from acneto heart disease
and from colic to obesity.
Much of chocolate's bad reputation is undeserved. For example, the linkbetween
chocolate and disorders such as obesity and heart disease is notthe fault of
chocolate itself but rather all the high-fat, high-cholesterolbutter and cream
that is used in chocolate candies and baked goods.
The other main nutritional concern with chocolate is its caffeine content.Caffeine
is a powerful stimulant that can cause insomnia, irritability andsometimes anxiety
attacks. However, chocolate and cocoa contain only a smallamount of caffeine.
For example, a cup of coffee contains 5 to 10 timesas much caffeine as a cup
of cocoa. A person would have to consume 40 cupsof hot chocolate a day to run
any real medical risk.
Surprisingly, cocoa has actually been used for centuries as an herbal medicine.Central
Americans have used cocoa to treat fevers, coughs and discomfortassociated with
pregnancy.
And there is evidence that suggests cocoa can be a digestive aid that boostsblood
flow to the heart, and can help anyone with chest congestion to breatheeasier.
The one thing not in dispute is the unique and appealing taste thatchocolate
possesses. There is really nothing quite like it.
Abundance, California Vegetarian Association, Sept/Oct 1994