Chocolate contains carbohydrates (including sugar) and fat, with a total calorie content of approximately 360 kcal per bar. Eating a bar of chocolate causes blood sugar levels to rise, giving a feeling of satiety, or “fullness”. It can also make you able to withstand hunger longer compared to eating pastries or drinking sweetened tea.
Eating a chocolate bar bit by bit may also substitute one, even two, regular meals. Therefore, chocolate is suitable for those who are dieting. This method will be more effective when accompanied with physical activity or light exercise.
According to Prof. Dr. Walujo Soerjodibroto, Ph.D., a nutritionist, chocolate diet is not only proven to be quite effective, but also pleasurable, as chocolate is, well, delicious. It also contains polyphenol compounds, a powerful antioxidant that is important in protecting tissues from free radicals and all its negative effects (cancer, premature aging, etc).
Chocolate also contains a type of fat named stearic acid, a fatty acid neutral. It is called neutral because stearic acid is scientifically proven to be less harmful to the blood cholesterol level compared to other types of fat. In a normal physiological amount, stearic acid could reduce the work of cholesterol-forming enzymes in liver tissues, which in turn could suppress the production of LDL cholesterol.
Chocolate is also known to have a very low toxicity level (less chance of food poisoning). This is proven by a LD50 (lethal dose) test. In other words, it’s perfectly safe for humans to consume chocolate!
Text by Denistya Sagita
Stock photos from BigStockPhoto
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