At least I do not need a chocolate day to eat chocolate in excess. For Chocoholics like me every day is National Chocolate Day! However for others it is 28th October. While eating chocolates, all the attention is focused on the pure pleasure of chocolate flavor, however chocolate offers well researched health benefits also, which we would discuss later in the article.

Seeing or eating chocolate we can never imagine the processes involved to create this delicacy. The process starts in some West African Nation usually Cote’ de Ivore, where the cacao plantations give the cacao fruit. Once ripe the fruits are cut and beans are extracted. The beans are fermented and the dried. Dried beans are roasted and then the nib is extracted. Ground nibs are mixed with water to obtain the chocolate drink. The drink obtained in this way is processed in many ways to get the different varieties of chocolate.

First of all the chocolate is full of antioxidants. The “Oxygen Radical Acquiring Capacity ORAC” is much higher than the foods usually thought to be high in antioxidant contents. Reactive oxygen species are the culprit behind aging and degenerative diseases.

Secondly chocolate is one of the best cardio protective substances. But take care in case of commercially available chocolates as they contain high measure of sugar and bad fats. As we age our arteries lose their elasticity that is their capacity of shrink and expand. Raw chocolate is best to protect the arterial function.
Chocolate helps the muscles to rebuild after degradation from exercise etc.

Chocolate has some role in Nitric Oxide metabolism in the body. This property is thought to help male sexuality. More research is underway.

Oh and more importantly chocolate promotes the loving feelings towards others!

So national day or not, have a lots of chocolate ready for yourself and your children.

National Chocolate