Health Benefits of Hot Chocolate

Hot chocolate (also known as hot chocolate, drinking chocolate, or just cocoa) is a hot beverage that typically consists of shaved chocolate or cocoa powder, hot milk or water, and sugar. Although generally regarded as a beverage consumed for pleasure, recent studies show that it has health benefits for antioxidant found in cocoa. Until the 19th century, it was even used medicinally to treat diseases like stomach.

Around The World

The first chocolate drink is believed to have been created by the Mayan people about 2000 years ago, and cocoa drinks are an important part of the culture of the Aztecs by 1400 AD it became popular in Europe after being introduced from Mexico in the New World, and has undergone several changes since then it. Today, hot, savory chocolate drink is consumed all over the world and come in several variations, including very thick cioccolata densa served in Italy, and thin hot chocolate which is usually consumed in the United States.

Americans have come to use the term "hot chocolate" and "hot chocolate" interchangeably, blurring the distinction between the two. "Hot Cocoa" is made of powder that is made by extracting most of the rich cocoa butter from cocoa beans ground. On the other hand, the version of the chocolate drink made directly from chocolate bars, which already contains cocoa, sugar and cocoa butter. So the main difference between the two is cocoa butter, which makes hot cocoa significantly lower in fat than chocolate version, while retaining all the health-giving properties of chocolate intrinsic.

Again, when comparing the chocolate and cocoa version, version drinks made with dark chocolate, semisweet, or bitter chocolate, and chopped into small pieces and stirred into milk with the addition of sugar. In contrast, American hot cocoa powder often contain powdered milk or other dairy ingredients that can be made without the use of milk. In the UK, "hot chocolate" is a sweet chocolate drink made with hot milk or water, and containing cocoa powder, sugar, and milk powder. "Cocoa" usually refers to a similar drink made with hot milk and cocoa powder only, and sweet to taste with sugar.

In mainland Europe, most of this delightful beverage form very thick because it is made directly from the chocolate. In the UK, however, often from various thin. Several types of chocolate drink powder in the UK is actually thick dark chocolate varieties. Europe is where it was first popularized, various forms that exist.

Among the several forms of thick hot chocolate served in Europe is cioccolata Italy densa. Variations in Germany is also known for being very thick and heavy. In Spanish churros are traditional working-man breakfast. This style can be very thick, often has the consistency of warm chocolate pudding. In the Netherlands, he was known as chocolademelk, and often served at home or in cafes. In France, often served at breakfast, and sometimes sliced ​​French bread or croissants, spread with butter, jam, honey or Nutella immerse into chocolate; there are also brand pecially formulated to breakfast time, especially Banania.

Even further variations exist. In some cafes in Belgium and elsewhere in Europe, which ordered "warme chocolade" or "chocolat chaud" will receive a cup of milk and a small bowl of steamed white bittersweet chocolate chips dissolve in milk.

Potential Health Benefits of Hot Chocolate

While generally consumed for pleasure, this drink has several potential health benefits associated with it. Research has shown that the form of chocolate contains large amounts of antioxidants that may be beneficial to one's health. From the 16th until the 19th century, it was valued as a medicine as well as drinks. Explorer Francisco Hernández wrote that chocolate helps cure fever and liver disease. Another explorer, Santiago de Valverde Turices, believe that consuming large amounts of very helpful in treating diseases of the chest, but in smaller amounts can help stomach disorders.

When chocolate was introduced to France in the 17th century, was reportedly used "to fight a fit of rage and bad mood", which may be due to the content of the chocolate phenylethylamine. Today, hot chocolate consumed for pleasure and not as a drug, but a new study shows that there may be other health benefits associated with the drinks.