The Art of Chocolate! As a finger food, chocolate can bring out the artist in people of ALL ages
By Alison Crane
With great joy, I announce that October 28th is National Chocolate Day! Are you like me and this makes you very happy? What better time than at Halloween when we are very likely to indulge in it?
Chocolate is a functional food and contains an active compound that provides health benefits beyond basic nutrition. The flavonoid compounds in chocolate act as antioxidants. We can receive several health benefits from a little indulgence.
Antioxidants help lower LDL cholesterol and reduce blood pressure. They also reduce free radicals produced by oxygen which can cause cellular damage and disease in our bodies. Antioxidants also help reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes by reducing platelet aggregation.
As in all good things, a little moderation is required. Before you go binge on the candy aisle or claim all of the chocolate in your child’s candy basket, keep in mind that eating as little as 7 grams of dark chocolate may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
There is such a thing as too much of a good thing- too many calories from chocolate may lead to weight gain. Since we are trying to prevent health issues, it would be a wise idea to avoid the problems associated with weight gain. Aim for eating 90 to 100 kcal/d of dark chocolate to gain health benefits without gaining weight.
The first documented use of chocolate was around 1100 BC and the demand for chocolate has only increased with the centuries.
One of the nice things about chocolate is that it pairs quite well with multiple other functional foods such as oatmeal (another favorite of mine). Chocolate oatmeal cookies have been a childhood favorite of mine and still are.
For more observations on chocolate and some healthy ways to indulge in this yummy treat “like” my Facebook page at GarlandFCS or if you’ve indulged too much “like” my Extension Get Fit page @garlandEGF to learn ways to get back into shape.
Alison Crane is a Family and Consumer Science Agent with the Garland Count Extension Service. The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
