Chocofanat.com
Worldwide Consumption Rates
Chocolate Consumption Distribution Worldwide
Not all countries are able to enjoy the sweet taste of chocolate equally. There is a profound dichotomy between those nations that extract the raw materials and those who indulge in the finished product. As it is shown in the maps available, all but one of the top twenty countries that consume chocolate are considered 'well-developed' or 'advanced'. Brazil is the only country involved on the list that actually considers chocolate to be a natural resource.
The reality exists that the processing and consumption of chocolate products is Western World dominated. 70% of the worldwide profit from chocolate sales is concentrated in these countries. 80% of the world chocolate market is accounted for by just six transnational companies, including Nestle, Mars and Cadbury. Europeans alone consume around 40% of the world's cocoa per year, 85% of which is imported from West Africa. There have recently been efforts to initiate a fair-trade movement, which would encourage the purchase of cocoa from developing country producers at a fair price. However, tariff escalation continues to me a major problem, which acts to drive chocolate comsumers and cocoa exporters further apart.
Nutritional Information of Chocolate
Each Pound of Milk Chocolate Contains:
2300 calories, 140 grams of fat, 100 milligrams of cholesterol, 370 milligrams of sodium, 270 grams of carbohydrates and 31 grams of protein
The major components of manufactured chocolate are approximately 54% cocoa butter, 11.5% protein, 9% cellulose, 6% tannic acids and colour, 5% water, 2.6% salts, 1% sugars, 0.2% caffeine and 10% organic acids and aromas. Depending on an individual chocolate manufacturers recipes the amount of cocoa mass will range from 7-15% in milk chocolate and 30-70% in dark chocolates.
Negative Aspects of Consumption
Health
Overindulgence of chocolate has been linked to some overweight cases and coulds result in the onset of diabetes. Some researchers have also found the stearic acid, found in chocolate, may promote blood clots. So it is important to regulate the amount you consume.
Addiction
Many food scientists have reported chocolate to be the single most craved food. Chocolate has been found to trigger parts of the brain that are associated with drug addiction. The phenomena of chocolate craving is still poorly understood and it is yet to be found if addiction is a sensory or a pharmacological effect.
Consumption Myths
Acne
Chocolate does not cause acne. There is no scientific research that exists to link chocolate to skin breakouts.
Obesity
In USA, where the mean body mass is highest, the chocolate consumption is less than half of Switzerland's. The Finnish annual consumption is only 3.5 kg/year, in a country known for a high prevalence of obesity and coronary artery disease. The is no definitive correlation worldwide between chocolate consumption and obesity rates to this date.
Tooth Decay
Chocolate does not promote tooth decay as much as other high-suger foods do. An anti-bacterial agent that inhibits plaque formation has been found in chocolate. However, it doesn't hurt to brush and floss after eating.
The Last Bite
There is no reason chocolate can't be eaten in moderation. Eating one or two peices a month may do the trick, but remember that eating ten times that won't increase the benefits ten fold. It is important to use common sense when consuming your chocolate, because surplus calories leads to surplus belt sizes. However a chocolate treat now and then won't hurt........
