Would you believe that the most popular holiday gift doesn’t have any gears, buttons, gadgets or apps? Gift givers find the price pretty reasonable and receivers rarely return it. One of the greatest gifts to give is chocolate, and people are enjoying it now more than ever.
The top “Chocolate Holidays” on the calendar are Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Easter and Halloween. Surprisingly Columbus Day doesn’t make the list since the introduction of chocolate to the civilized world is attributed to Christopher Columbus. At the time of his transatlantic voyage, native South Americans were using cacao beans as currency so when he returned to Spain he brought several plants back with him.
Since then the delicacy’s popularity has grown to create a consumer culture of its own. Despite the obesity rate, the United States is not the top chocolate consuming country. In fact, Europeans eat approximately 40 percent of all chocolate produced in the world. Switzerland, Austria, Ireland, Germany and Norway have the top 5 spots for chocolate eating. Each consumes about 19.6 pounds per year per person where the US averages 11.6 pounds of chocolate per year per person.
Unless the intended receiver is diabetic, chocolate is a gift that keeps on giving. A growing number of studies suggest that it can be a heart-healthy choice. Chocolate that consists of at least 70 percent cacao contains a healthy source of certain fats, proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals such as iron and magnesium, as well as phenylethylamine and anandamide. Cocoa beans have Flavanols which produce antioxidant effects that reduce cell damage implicated in heart disease, help lower blood pressure, cholesterol and improve vascular function. Recent research also shows that moderate chocolate consumption may lower the risk of stroke.
Other chocolate-coated health benefits include:
- Cancer Fighting – chocolate inhibits cell division and reduces inflammation like red wine, blueberries, garlic, and tea
- Artery Clearing – antioxidants clean plaque out of the arteries
- Tooth Decay Thwarting – chocolate contains theobromine which prevents tooth decay by eradicating bacteria found in the oral cavity that contributes to tooth decay known as streptococcus mutans
Not just good for the body, reasonable chocolate consumption is also good for the brain. A chemical in chocolate called epicatechin has been linked to improving memory and consumption of the confectionary may help slow or reverse age-related mental decline.
Even if it doesn’t cause people to live longer lives as some studies suggest, it’s almost certain to produce happier ones. Chocolate is a natural anti-depressant that stimulates endorphin production creating feelings of happiness and pleasure.
According to research by Dr. Franz Messerli, of St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital and Columbia University in New York, chocolate eaters might be more peaceful people as well. He claims to have found a link between the number of Nobel Prize winners and per capita chocolate consumption in their country of origin.
This year it seems more people are asking for, receiving, or treating themselves to more chocolate than in years past. Despite questions of a “chocolate crisis” looming as milk prices rise, chocolate is holding its own in retail sales.
Since 2005 chocolate sales have risen and are expected to continue doing so through 2013. Preferences for premium milk chocolate products and dark chocolate are growing and more countries are climbing the chocolate consumption ladder. Markets in China grew by 18 percent and the number Ukraine coinsures of chocolate increased by 12 percent.
Susan Whiteside, the spokeswoman for the National Confectioners Association explains why chocolate is such a popular purchase even when finances are tight, "Candy is a luxury, certainly, but it is a very affordable luxury. Particularly when economic times are tough, the things that bring you a lot of happiness that don't cost a lot of money tend to stay in your budget."
Photo courtesy of Graeme Weatherston at FreeDigitalPhoto
Become a member to take advantage of more features, like commenting and voting.
Register or sign in today!