Chocolate: The Curse And The Blessing

Joy C. and Jennica V.

When you take a bite of a sweet, creamy piece of chocolate, do you question where chocolate originated or the benefits that it offers?

According to Purdue Yard & Garden, chocolate comes from the cacao plant, Theobroma cacao, which translates to the meaning of “food of the gods.” The plant is most likely to have come from the Amazon area of South America at least 4,000 years ago. The Aztecs and other native groups invented a bitter tasting drink from the roasted beans.

According to http://www.history.com/news/hungry-history/the-sweet-history-of-chocolate, “In the 1500s, Spanish conquistadors such as Hernán Cortés who sought gold and silver in Mexico returned instead with chocolate. Although the Spanish sweetened the bitter drink with cane sugar and cinnamon, one thing remained unchanged: chocolate was still a delectable symbol of luxury, wealth and power. Chocolate was sipped by royal lips, and only Spanish elites could afford the expensive import.” Like the band U2, they hadn’t found what they’re looking for, they found a valuable source that still exists today.  

Despite the fact that some people think that all chocolate is unhealthy, it actually has a lot of nutritional benefits. According to the Huffington Post, it improves blood flow, boosts brainpower, and quiets coughs. It helps prevent diabetes from the increase of sensitivity.

However, those who disapprove of the consumption of chocolate are still correct: there is a downside to the sweet treat. According to Cacaoweb.net , chocolate mostly contains sugar, fat, and carbs. That kind of diet can lead to heart disease and can cause weight gain.

Chances of a heart attack and high cholesterol rise from all the sugar in chocolate. In addition, a troublesome effect of chocolate is weight gain, which could lead to even more health risks. A single bar of milk chocolate (155 ounces) is 235 calories, which is already more than ⅕ of the total calories you should eat per day.

Although chocolate can be a very delicious treat for all of us, it can have many advantages and disadvantages. Regardless, chocolate is a treat that most people continue to crave.