Chocolate: an athlete’s happiness partner?

It has been stirring passions for a very long time. Let’s take an overview, from the cocoa bean to chocolate. We will then look at its nutritional benefits and possible addictive properties.

From the discovery of cocoa to delicious dark chocolate

Cocoa cultivation dates back to ancient times: the oldest traces of cocoa cultivation found date back more than four millennia. Different civilizations developed a close relationship with cocoa, described as the “food of the gods.” In some cultures, such as among the Maya, cocoa was consumed during religious ceremonies. Others had a more pragmatic relationship with it: among the Aztecs, cocoa was a common consumer product and its beans were often used as currency.

But while our ancestors were fans of cocoa, it is chocolate that interests us most. It is a mixture of cocoa paste, cocoa butter, and sugar, in varying proportions. The cocoa bean is roasted and ground until it becomes a liquid cocoa paste; the fat is extracted from it and forms cocoa butter. Thus, not all chocolates are equal or equally concentrated in cocoa. For the purposes of this article, we will focus on dark chocolate, which has the highest cocoa content and is the only true chocolate according to purists.

A source of vitamins and minerals

Chocolate encompasses a broad range of products. Between white chocolate, which is made with cocoa butter and contains no cocoa solids, and dark chocolate, which contains at least 35%, there is a world of difference. The balance between carbohydrates and fats varies greatly depending on the type of chocolate: the less cocoa it contains, the more sugar or fat it has. To keep this article simple and easy to digest, all the nutritional information analyzed will be based on a 100 g bar of dark chocolate containing at least 70% cocoa.

Chocolate contains a good amount of flavonoids: they have strong antioxidant and antiallergic properties, and studies agree on their beneficial effects on cardiovascular disease.

It also contains theobromine, which is also found in guarana. This is what gives it its mild stimulant effects and accounts for chocolate’s positive impact on mood. Theobromine is also what makes chocolate toxic in large quantities to certain animals: do not leave your Chihuahua next to your 99% dark chocolate dessert!

Like quinoa, chocolate is rich in minerals. It is a good source of magnesium, iron, zinc, and copper.

Finally, if chocolate is good for your health, it is also because of its substantial and varied vitamin content, an overview of which is provided in the following table.

Fuel for athletes

Thanks to its stimulating properties and the carbohydrates it contains, chocolate can be an interesting food to consume before or during exercise. Its varied nutritional content makes it a food of choice for athletes. That said, it is important to pay attention to the cocoa content of the chocolate consumed and to choose dark chocolate with a high cocoa content. Milk chocolate, because of its higher carbohydrate content, can be useful after exercise to replenish energy stores. However, remember to combine it with slow-release carbohydrates. There are many studies on its effects before, during, and after exercise in athletes, but they are not very reliable. The claimed benefits vary; the main point is that consuming dark chocolate about two hours before exercise may protect the muscles by reducing the risk of cramps.

Without further ado, allow us to present our selection of cocoa products:

Before exercise:

Chocolate energy cakes: ideal for breakfast before an event, this cake will help you stock up on carbohydrates and minerals so you can perform at your best.

During exercise:

Chocolate energy bars: A concentrated source of energy in a pocket-sized format, perfect for refueling. Discover our Best Seller, the delicious Clifbar

After exercise:

Chocolate-flavored recovery bar ° Recovery bars enriched with protein, vitamins (B1, B2, B6, C, E, PP), and minerals (calcium and magnesium) ° Optimizes recovery after exercise

One last little square?

Is it a drug? The question may seem surprising, but it is very serious. Thus, chocolate, along with cannabis, is the only known natural source of anandamide. It binds to and activates cannabinoid receptors just like THC. This neurotransmitter is involved in numerous metabolic processes: memory modulation (hippocampus), emotional modulation (amygdala), modulation of motor activity (basal ganglia), central analgesia (hindbrain), and potential roles in habituation, cognition, and the reward system (which controls food intake and addictive behaviors).

Anandamide also plays a role in regulating eating behavior and the neural generation of motivation and pleasure. Thus, it seems that eating chocolate increases the pleasure response to sweet foods… making us more sensitive to its own sweetness.

Ultimately, chocolate is so good that we willingly become addicted!

Go ahead and discover and enjoy our selection of cocoa products