Some people resort to chocolates when they don’t feel right. This is especially true because chocolates can gravely improve the mood of an individual. Furthermore, it can be safely assumed that millions of people love the fact that chocolates are around. Because of the treat it provides and the satisfaction it leaves us. But what if chocolates run out? Have you ever thought of it being possible?
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Where do chocolates come from?
Many people think that chocolates come from a magical factory where a lot of sugar is present. However, only a few know of the exact roots of chocolates. To give you a brief history of it, you can think of how chocolates come to life by imagining this process:
Chocolates -> Cocoa Beans -> Cocoa Trees
Yes, chocolates come from cocoa trees. Most of these trees are found in both South and Central America. Cocoa trees are sensitive because they can only grow in around 10 to 20 degrees in either side of the equator. They can actually grow and nurture around a few or less but would require a lot of attention.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Cacao trees will most likely be extinct by the year 2050 because of the infamous climate change that our planet is currently experiencing. Both the countries Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire are the major countries who have these cacao trees and they are both going to have a hike in their normal temperatures of 3.8 degrees Farenheit by 2050. This increase in the temperature would push the Cacao trees to mountain areas. While this seems to be a quick fix to the dilemma we are facing, it’s not because the chances of them not surviving would most likely also hike.
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This have been looked at by a lot of hopefuls and one specifically tried to save these Cacao trees. Scientists and researchers at the University of California Berkeley, together with the Mars company had an idea of tweaking up the DNA of these species where chocolates come from.
Business Insider said that this project that they are thinking of will utilize CRISPR, a tool that edits genes. What it does is that it transforms seedlings to a certain species that will survive in a much warmer and drier climates.
Although this initiative is still unclear, geologists and researchers are still unsure whether this strategy will work. So, what we can advise all of you chocolate addicts is to enjoy them while they are still here.
In estimation, around 1 billion people eat chocolates everyday. The reasons might be different but the bottom line is that chocolates is what they find depending on the emotions they are feeling. What do you think would these people feel when chocolates become extinct?
Some people consume chocolates because of the health benefits they have. Yes, they have health benefits, let me tell you some of it:
Chocolates are good sources of antioxidants
Since they come from a plan that are high in antioxidants, chocolates are actually great antioxidant sources. One particular study showed that dark chocolate had more antioxidant activities than other fruits. Meaning, eating dark chocolates can actually do you better than you eating some fruits that are easily available.
Researchers were able to find these through the Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC), which is the measure of the activity of antioxidants in foods. Although in the study, unprocessed and raw cocoa beans are part of the highest in scores in terms of antioxidant activity.
They reduce heart complication risks
Adding to the fact that they are excellent sources of antioxidants, they ultimately decrease risks in heart and cardiovascular diseases. One study focused on 470 men who are elderly and was found that more Cocoa in their bodies reduced their risk of obtaining heart diseases by a staggering 50% over the course of fifteen (15) years.
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Furthermore, another study was done and showed that people who ate dark chocolate more than five (5) times a week lowered the heart disease rate by a whopping 57%.
So, if you have outlying cardiovascular problems, try eating dark chocolate, your risks of heart diseases will drastically lower.
Chocolates lower cholesterol levels of the body
A study published in the Journal of Nutrition says that eating chocolates can help decrease LDL or low density lipoprotein which is most often referred to as bad cholesterol. Why? Because chocolates found out that chocolate bars have Plant Sterols (PS) and Flavanols (CF) improve blood pressure, and, therefore, reduce cholesterol levels.
Improve fetal development and growth
If you are pregnant, eating an ounce of chocolate every single day can help both you and your baby. According to a 2016 study in the Pregnancy Meeting of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, consuming 30 grams of chocolate daily is beneficial for the growth and development of pregnant women.
They promote athletic performance
In the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, had findings that consuming little dark chocolate can provide abundant oxygen whenever you train and exercise.
The research focused on cyclists who are doing trials in the United Kingdom. According to them, after they ate dark chocolate, the cyclists utilized less oxygen whenever they are cycling at just the right pace. More so, they were able to travel to more distances in a 2 minute trial.
Less likely to experience stroke
In Canada, a study which involved over 44,489 people, found that those who ate at least one (1) serving of chocolates had a 22 percent less chances of experiencing stroke than those who did not. More so, individuals who consumed more than two (2) ounces of chocolate per week had a 46 percent less chances of d***g from stroke.
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In addition to that, there was a study in the Journal Heart in the year 2015 that observed the impact of diet of 25,000 people, both men and women. The findings were surreal; they found that people who ate up to 100 grams of chocolate a day had a link to lower chances of stroke and heart diseases.
By looking at these benefits, would you wish that the prediction of the NOAA is false? Other than the fact that millions of people munch on chocolates every day, chocolates can actually be a proven and tested form of medication for people who need them the most. Although that’s the case, we still cannot be too confident about the fact that chocolate contains a lot of sugar and sugar is not very good friends with our bodies. Moderation is key and it will forever be.
