Eat two chocolates and call me in the morning!

Good news for chocoholics! Chocolate can be good for you!

Recent studies by various researchers and institutions have come up with findings that - let's be honest most of us with a sweet tooth have known all along - concludes chocolate does more than put a smile on your face, it also works wonders - in a myriad of ways - for your mind and your body.

For example:

According to the BBC, researchers have found that chocolate can actually stimulate your brain and releases more endorphins in the brain than kissing does. It was also shown to increase your heart rate faster than kissing as well. Researchers believe that this is caused by chocolate’s concentration of phenylethylamine, a compound that increases endorphin production in the brain.
Dark chocolate is actually beneficial for your heart health. A study conducted by Walden University’s School of Nursing in the US shows that blood pressure significantly decreased in participants, mainly due to the chocolate’s heavy concentration of flavonoid and polyphenol antioxidants.
Meanwhile, Harvard University noted that chocolate can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease. The university stated that middle-aged and older adults that ate 100 grams of chocolate daily were less likely to suffer from heart disease in comparison to those who had less.
A study published by Medicine and Sports Science found that chocolate milk (did you know it was invented in Jamaica by Irish botanist Sir Hans Sloane?) can actually help athletes recover faster after exercise. According to Cedric Bryant, Chief Science Officer for the American Council on Exercise: "It provides just the right ratio of protein to carbohydrates to replenish energy stores and facilitate muscle tissue repair. The convenience factor is also a plus because refuelling within 30 minutes of a challenging workout is necessary to reap optimal benefits.”
Chocolate is known to have extremely soothing properties. A study by Essex University found that people were more relaxed and actually paid attention and retained more information when just the smell of chocolate was around. Of course these various findings doesn't give you an excuse to gorge yourself on chocolate all day. Everything in moderation!

But it does give you an excuse to visit Cape Town's Chocolate Festival which is taking place on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 August at the Anura Wine Estate in Stellenbosch.

Included in the line-up are the likes of Afrikoa Chocolate, Beyers Chocolates, Honest Artisan Chocolate, Huguenot Fine Chocolates, Alexander Avery Fine Chocolates, CocoaFair, Valrohna and Winston & Julia and many more.

In addition to the various chocolate stalls, there will be an array of others things to do, taste, drink and enjoy at the festival including confectionery makers, ice cream vendors, chocolate-themed movie screenings, live bands, gin, bubbly and wine tents, craft breweries, charcuterie, bread and cheese stalls and much more.

Tickets cost only R150 per person, with children under 18 admitted, and can be bought from www.webticket.co.za/.

Facebook: @ChocFestDNAEvents
Twitter: @Choc_Festival

#ChocFest

Issued by: JAG COMMUNICATIONS
Pictures: SUPPLIED

©2018 Herman Lintvelt - WineTourismZA