World Chocolate Day: Benefits of the World’s Favourite Sweet Treat + 6 Recipes!
I think you’d be hard-pressed to find a person out there who doesn’t love chocolate.
While tastes in sweets vary all over the globe, one thing that seems to be a consistent favourite is chocolate.
As we have World Chocolate Day coming up on July 7th, I wanted to touch in on why this decadent treat is just so darn delicious, the benefits of the treat as well as share a few indulgent recipes to help you celebrate.
Why DO we love chocolate?
There are a few secrets as to why chocolate is so enjoyable, and sometimes addicting, for many of us.
The first being the ratio of fats to carbohydrates. This magic ratio of 1g fat to 2g sugar, is rarely found in nature, with the exception of breast milk. In fact, many foods we similarly find irresistible, such as ice cream, cookies, and donuts, contain this ratio.
It’s theorized that there is a subconscious link that makes us feel the relaxed, intimate state we experienced as babies through these sweet treats, and that is part of the reason we find them so enticing.
The other, most significant factor is the presence of a chemical compound called anandamide, which is a neurotransmitter that has psychoactive effects on the brain similar to cannabis. In fact, the linguistic root of ‘anandamide’ is the Sanskrit word ‘ananda’ which translates to ‘bliss.’
The Benefits of Chocolate
Chocolate in addition to creating states of bliss also has a few significant health benefits, but you have to reach for dark chocolate to get them.
I’m sorry but your Mars bar doesn’t count!
Opt for 70% and above chocolate, I promise, the bitterness fades after time and you’ll look forward to your square of bliss.
Dark Chocolate:
Is a rich source of nutrients such as iron, copper, magnesium, manganese, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, and selenium.
Is full of powerful antioxidants.
May help reduce the risk of heart disease, and improve cholesterol and blood pressure levels.
This is your permission slip to indulge moderately.
Indulgent Chocolate Recipes
Here are some recipe inspirations for how to celebrate World Chocolate Day.
Dark Chocolate Mousse
The heavy cream and egg yolks in this recipe make it a super indulgent treat.
Brownie Batter Pancakes
I know, I know, this sounds like it should be illegal it’s so good, but they are actually quite healthy!
Vegan Dark Chocolate Coconut Pies
Only 5 ingredients in these grain-free mini pies.
Chocolate Raspberry Smoothie
“Healthy enough for breakfast, but decadent enough for dessert.”
Chocolate Zucchini Bread
You’ll never know there’s zucchini hiding in this moist cake-like bread.
Fudgy Grain-Free Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes
These irresistible cupcakes are topped with coconut cream frosting!
Happy World Chocolate Day!