Chocolates
Posted by sameira on July 08 2007 23:56:32
Chocolates consist of cocoa solids and fats, sugar, other fats and often milk is added. Two thirds of all cocoa comes from Western Africa.
Dark chocolate is thought to possess cardio protective properties. Cocoa possesses a significant antioxidant action, protecting against LDL oxidation thereby protecting the heart. However dark chocolates may lead to obesity which may in turn aggravate cardiovascular problems.
Chocolate also has a weak stimulant effect due mainly to its content of theobromine. The theobromine found in chocolate is toxic to animals such as horses, dogs, parrots and cats because they are unable to metabolize the chemical effectively.
Various types of chocolates are -
* Dark chocolate - It is the chocolate without milk as an additive.
* Milk chocolate - It is chocolate with milk powder or condensed milk added.
* White chocolate - It is a chocolate based on cocoa butter without the cocoa solids.
* Compound chocolate