Chocolate-Covered Anything Day
Versatile chocolate is a sweet confection which pairs well with multiple food flavors. Yes, even bacon!
Many people enjoy chocolate-dipped fruit or nuts.
Chocolate can complement a pretzel’s salty notes.
Or add sweetness to a spicy mole.
Why do we crave chocolate? Eating chocolate releases the chemical phenylalanine, which boosts our mood. Falling in love causes a similar effect on our brains. There is also evidence that dark chocolate can increase memory and reaction times.
Dark chocolate, a bar with 70–85% cocoa, is nutritious. If you consume 100 grams (3.5 ounces) of dark chocolate, you’ll get a significant percentage of the daily recommended intake of manganese (85%), copper (196%), iron (66%), magnesium (57%), [and lots of potassium, phosphorus, zinc, and selenium], as well as 11 grams of fiber. Cocoa has a good fatty acid profile, consisting primarily of oleic (heart-healthy), stearic (neutral effect), and palmitic (can increase cholesterol but is only 1/3 of the total chocolate fat) acids.
Other health benefits of dark chocolate: (1) it contains organic compounds that function as powerful antioxidants and may help lower LDL cholesterol; (2) it has flavanoids which stimulate endothelium (blood vessel lining) to produce nitric oxide. This can reduce blood pressure by signaling arteries to relax.
Remember that despite the good references above, the tasty treat will also contain 600 calories and a variable amount of sugars, so consume in moderation. There is also a difference between dark, milk, and white chocolate.
What foods do you like drizzled or dipped in chocolate: everyday fruits or nuts, or will you go wild and try chocolate-covered insects?
