Anyone who knows me, knows my quote, “If it isn’t chocolate, it isn’t candy!” According to the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) article, “Chocolate and Candy Sales Hit All-Time High” (March 13, 2024), states: “Confectionary sales reached a record high in 2023 with almost $49 billion in total sales…Even with inflation concerns, 98% of consumers bought an average of $260 of candy per person.” That’s a LOT of candy!
The same article states that when people want to treat themselves, about 90% will choose chocolate to do so. Candy sales increase around holidays including Valentine’s Day, Easter, and Halloween.
The History of Chocolate
The history of cocoa beans and chocolate dates back thousands of years with origins in Mesoamerica. Before the1800s, chocolate was mostly consumed as a bitter drink among the cultures of Olmecs, Mayans, and Aztecs. Cocoa beans were so valued they were used as currency. Cocoa was also used as a religious drink, medicinal elixir, and an elite beverage.
Cocoa was exported from Mesoamerica to Spain by Hernán Cortés in the 1500s and eventually from there to France, Italy, and England by the 1600s.
By the 1800s, Daniel Peter and Henri Nestlé developed milk chocolate by adding condensed milk to cocoa. Large chocolatiers in the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and the United States worked at making chocolate affordable to the common people.
In the early 1900s the candy bar became an easy distribution format. Other candies that quickly followed the introduction of the Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bar were Snickers (1930), Kit Kat (1935), and M&M’s (1941). Post WWII saw an increase in new candy bars because of mass advertising and mass production.
Chocolate has been taken to the next level by the development of luxury and gourmet brands such as Lindt, Godiva, and Ghirardelli. Many chocolate brands have increased the offer of limited-edition (seasonal) chocolates around holidays and special occasions.
Concerns About Too Much Chocolate
I’m very thankful to say, I’ve become more controlled in my chocolate “addiction.” I have lost the mouth watering reaction to chocolate when I walk into a store. I’m sure I’m not alone feeling bombarded by the ease of purchase and mass advertisement that causes us to hear chocolate calling our name. The sugar and fat in sweet chocolate stimulates the brain cells contributing to addiction and craving of chocolate. So often, chocolate is used as a comfort food recouping childhood memories and is used in an effort to soothe our negative emotions. However, there are benefits to consuming chocolate.
Benefits Found in Dark Chocolate
- Rich in Antioxidants: flavonoids and polyphenols help fight free radicals, reducing oxidative stress and slowing aging.
- Heart Health: flavonoids in cocoa improve blood circulation and reduce blood pressure. Studies show that moderate chocolate consumption is linked to a lower risk of heart disease and stroke.
- Boosts Brain Function: cocoa contains theobromine and caffeine that enhance focus and cognitive function. It increases blood flow to the brain, potentially reducing the risk of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.
- Mood Enhancer: chocolate stimulates endorphins (feel-good hormones) and increases serotonin, which helps reduce stress and symptoms of depression. Dark chocolate contains tryptophan (an amino acid) and supports serotonin production that influences sleep, memory, reduced depression, and other neurological processes.
- Supports Gut Health: cocoa acts as a prebiotic, feeding good gut bacteria, which improves digestion and immune function.
- Improves Skin Health: the flavonoids in chocolate protect against UV damage, improving skin hydration and elasticity.
- Aids in Blood Sugar Control: dark chocolate (with high cocoa content and low sugar) can improve insulin sensitivity, reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes.
Choosing the Right Chocolate for Health Benefits
- Best option: Dark chocolate (70% cocoa or higher)
- Limit sugar and milk content (milk chocolate and white chocolate have fewer benefits)
- Eat in moderation (about 1 ounce or 30g per day for health benefits)
Share with us your favorite candy. Is chocolate your go to candy and which brand or type? When do you seem to crave chocolate? Do you agree or disagree with the health benefits of dark chocolate? Remember, cocoa is a God given natural plant. How hard would it be for you to go back to the bitter cocoa drink of the ancient Mesoamericans?
For more thought-provoking topics, tune in to Hope 100.7.
God bless you. Stay hopeful! ❤️
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