Benefits
Chocolate’s antioxidant potential may have a range of health benefits. The higher the cocoa content, as in dark chocolate, the more benefits there are.
Scientists at Harvard Medical School have suggested that drinking two cups of hot chocolate a day could help keep the brain healthy and reduce memory decline in older people.
The researchers found that hot chocolate helped improve blood flow to parts of the brain where it was needed.
Here are some sample nutrient levels in light and dark chocolate,
Light (100 g) Dark (100 g) Nutrient
531 kcal 556 kcal Energy
8.51 g 5.54 g Protein
58 g 60.49 g Carbohydrate
30.57 g 32.4 g Fat
54 g 47.56 g Sugars
0.91 mg 2.13 mg Iron
206 mg 51 mg Phosphorus
438 mg 502 mg Potassium
101 mg 6 mg Sodium
251 mg 30 mg Calcium
24 mg 5 mg Cholesterol
Symbolism
Chocolate, in its purest form, is a powerful assistant for ‘inner work’, creative guidance and SO much more.
Cacao is ‘The Food for the Shift’, and chocolate opens the heart and allows for a deeper, authentic love-based connection with yourself, others, and the world.
A Bit of History
Chocolate is made from tropical Theobroma cacao tree seeds. Its earliest use dates back to the Olmec civilization in Mesoamerica.
Drinking chocolate was the first exotic drink to arrive in Europe, although it had been consumed by different populations of the Americas for thousands of years, while the Ancient Mayans and Aztecs used Chocolate for Spiritual and Ceremonial purposes.
The conquistador Hernan Cortés and his men landed in Mexico in 1519, and brought cocoa to Europe from the Americas, arousing great interest and stirring up much debate. Above all, it became a huge craze with the aristocracy and the more privileged classes of society.
Following in the footsteps of Spain, the other European countries discovered chocolate during the 17th century and became totally fascinated by this completely new drink. The aristocracy and the clergy were swept off their feet by an absolute ‘chocomania’. Chocolate was more expensive than tea or coffee and remained a luxury product for a long time. It became very fashionable among the privileged classes and was savoured for breakfast, enjoyed throughout the day or offered as refreshment during society events and informally between friends. Its reputation as an Aztec aphrodisiac persisted and many people associated chocolate with exquisite pleasure.