For most of us chocolate has become a sweet candy. But in early history o the ancient peoples of Meso-america drank chocolate as a bitter ritual beverage, an important part of daily social and religious life.
The pods of the cacao (kah Kow) tree contain seeds that can be processed into cocoa. The benefits of this trees pods were discovered over 2000 years ago. The first civilization known to have made chocolate were the ancient cultures of Mexico and Central America. Including the Maya and Aztec, these people, mixed ground cacao seeds with various seasonings to make a spicy, frothy drink.
The Maya and their ancestors in Meso-america cultivated and grew the tree in their own backyards, where they harvested, fermented, roasted, and ground the seeds into a paste. They would then mix it with chili peppers, cornmeal, and other ingredients to create a paste, this paste made a frothy, spicy chocolate drink. However as you can see, it was anything but a sweet candy.
By 1400, the Aztec empire dominated a sizable segment of Mesoamerica. Cocao seeds actually became a form of money in which the Maya and other citizens could pay their taxes or as known then, their tribute. At this time, chocolate was still a spicy and bitter drink. The seeds were not only used as money but also presented to the gods as offerings in religious ceremonies.
When this area was conquered by the Spanish conquistadors, these seeds were one of the items brought back home to Spain, Eventually, and the drink’s popularity spread throughout Europe. Since that time, much has been done to create new recipes and technological advances have changed the texture and taste of chocolate, but it still remains one of the world’s favorite flavors.
Now chocolate is world wide and primarily used as a candy. However, there is a slow return to looking at the benefits of chocolate as a health item and returning to the original reasons that the ancient Mesoamerican people drank it. An example of such a move is the company Isagenix.
They have created IsaDelight to support this growing return to chocolate as a health item. IsaDelight is a revolutionary, dark chocolate Amino Acid Supplement that blends quality dark chocolate with healthy amino acids, B vitamins and other nutrients to help curb hunger, boost energy, support mental focus, and promote calm. If you like dark chocolate, you would like their product. It reminds me of a Nestle Special Dark Bar in taste but with a health boost.
Did you know that dark chocolate contains 8 times the antioxidants of a strawberry? Amazing isn’t it. Our favorite treat in the right mixture is actually just plain out good for us. Since chocolate is made from a plant, it holds many of the benefits of other dark vegetables. The primary source of this is through flavonoids, which are antioxidants. (Antioxidants protect the body from aging caused by free radicals, which can cause damage that leads to heart disease.) These flavonoids are a primary factor in helping balance certain hormones and can actually help lower blood pressure by increasing the production of the nitric oxide our body needs for this purpose.
Okay, lets break that down. This means our number one gift on Valentine’s day if given in the dark variety will: (recommended dosage is one small dark bar – or one to two ISADELIGHT Bars)
* Lower Blood Pressure: Studies have shown that consuming a small bar of dark chocolate everyday can reduce blood pressure in individuals with high blood pressure.
* Lower Cholesterol: Dark chocolate has also been shown to reduce LDL cholesterol (the bad cholesterol) by up to 10 percent.
* it stimulates endorphin production, which gives a feeling of pleasure
* it contains serotonin, which acts as an anti-depressant
* it contains theobromine, caffeine and other substances which are stimulants
Remember, moderation – chocolate is still a high calorie high fat food source. so it only takes 100 grams to get the benefit. That is about 3.5 ounces. Remember, we are talking DARK chocolate. Other types such as white or milk have more calories and less antioxidants that make it a valuable and healthy food source. Now if you use dark chocolate with nuts, then you are also getting the benefits of the nut itself. Remember we are after health so anything with caramel, nougat or other fillings are likely just extra calories and can actually erase your hoped for benefit.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
For some reason, research has discovered that milk actually prevents a portion if not all the antioxidants from being absorbed and/or used by your body. So that tendency to eat it with a glass of milk, while a great treat, will not give you the promised health benefits.
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