Saturday, October 12, 2013

The Truth About Chocolate And Digestion

By Catalina Nielsen


Many people love chocolates but they think that they are fattening and harmful to their health. This is not always true. Recent research has revealed that there are chocolates that are actually beneficial to health. The difference comes in the ingredients used and the processes followed. When it comes to chocolate and digestion, various factors need to be considered.

The use of organic ingredients means that they are cultivated without using pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, ionizing radiation or genetically modified organisms. The cocoa beans usually come from West African countries where the humid tropical climate and regular rainfall are particularly suited to their cultivation. The more cocoa mass found in a product, the more benefits there are for health.

The beans contain high levels of antioxidants that absorb free radicals, preventing cell and tissue damage. They promote the health of the heart, helping prevent cardiovascular disease. Of course they also contain feel good chemicals like dopamine and serotonin. It is no wonder that people say eating chocolates makes them feel better.

They are also rich in many such as vitamins A, B1, C and E. That play an important part in keeping the body healthy. Minerals such as copper, zinc, iron and potassium are also found and are vital for proper brain function, promoting cell growth, issue repair and absorption of nutrients.

There are cases in which chocolates are not good for the digestive system. Those containing milk are not good for people who are lactose intolerant. The complex sugar called lactose that is found in milk has to be broken down by a digestive enzyme called lactase. In some people, this does not happen resulting in undigested lactose which in turn causes problems like bloating, cramps and diarrhea. These individuals should buy products containing substitutes for dairy such as coconut milk.

Chocolates contain milk and this could cause digestive problems for those who are lactose intolerant. These people are usually deficient in an enzyme called lactase which is needed to break down the complex sugar found in the milk, enabling it to be digested. If this lactose is not broken down it can cause problems like bloating and abdominal pain. There are dairy-free products available for such individuals, containing substitutes such as coconut milk.

Some people suffer from digestive diseases or irritable bowel syndrome and they find that eating chocolates can affect them adversely. However, for all those people who do not have digestive problems, eating chocolates can be of benefit to the digestive system. Chocolates contains a sufficient amount of fiber to help with peristaltic movement and stimulate the production of digestive enzymes.

When it comes to chocolate and digestion, there is no question that eating it can be beneficial, depending on the quality and type of product chosen. Manufacturers are catering more and more to the demands of discerning customers who want to eat chocolates that benefit their health without all the added fillers, sugars and other harmful ingredients.




About the Author:



banner
Previous Post
Next Post

0 commentaires: