Questions & Answers about Chocolate

These are some Q&A about chocolate taken from Chocolate Factory in Bruges:

Is Chocolate an aphrodisiac?

Chocolate already has this reputation in the Aztec period. King Moctezuma drank 50 cups per day, especially before going to visit his wives in the harem.

This Chocolate was rich in spices (pepper, vanilla, red peppers)  which could be the reason behind its tonic sexual effect.

Casanova, the world's most famous lover, used chocolate and champagne to seduce women. Madam du Barry, Louis XV's mistress, gave her lovers lots of chocolate to improve their performance.

Today we know that caffeine, theobromine, serotonins and phenylethylamine, contained in chocolate, act as a tonic and reduce stress, giving better resistance to fatigue, which can consequently have a positive effect on sexual activity.

Answer Perhaps, yes

Does chocolate cause cavities?

The appearance of a cavity depends on four factors:

- the presence of bacteria

- the presence of sugar

- the quality of the enamel

- the length of contact with sugars on the enamel.

Cocoa contains three types of substance which have powerful anti-cavity properties: tanins, which inhibit the development of microbes fluoride which reinforces enamel phosphates which deepen the acids formed by metabolisation of the sugars.

Answer: No on the contrary, chocolate prevents cavities.

Does chocolate help to cause acne?

Acne, among young people, occurs due to the excessive secretion of sebum in the skin which blocks the pores. No medical study has shown a link with chocolate

Answer: No Chocolate does not help cause acne

Is chocolate forbidden for diabetics?

Chocolate has a rather low glycaemic peak. Moreover, Belcolade produces a sugar-free chocolate with an excellent taste.

Answer: No chocolate is not forbidden for diabetics, but they have to take account of the quantity of glucids consumed and preferably choose a bitter chocolate of Belcolade sugar-free chocolate

Does Chocolate make you liverish?

Consumed in normal quantities, chocolate produces no hepatic intolerance effect. This has been proved in several clinical tests.

Answer: No, Chocolate does not make you liverish.

Does Chocolate cause high cholesterol?

The composition of cocoa butter explains the beneficial effect of chocolate on cholesterol levels. it is composed of 62% saturated fatty acids (of which 34% stearic acid and 28% palmitic acid) and of 38% of unsaturated fatty acids (of which 35% oleic acid and 3% linoleum acids). But among the saturated fatty acids, stearic acid must be isolated because it rapidly de-saturates in the organism to produce oleic acid. We can therefore conclude that chocolate contains only 28% saturated fatty acids and 69% oleic acid, which reduces cholesterol levels.

Answer: No, on the contrary, chocolate reduces cholesterol levels.

Does chocolate make you fat?

Today we know that in order to lose weight, you have to eat a healthy, balanced diet.

Answer: If you are slim you can, for example, eat dark chocolate and you will not gain weight. If you are overweight, slim down first, then you can reintroduce chocolate into your diet. If you consume it with moderation, you will not get fat.