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International Chocolate Day: a rich and nutritious food

Chocolate provides antioxidants, fiber and other essential nutrients for a healthy diet. If consumed in the correct way, it can be integrated into a balanced diet to enjoy all its benefits.


International Chocolate Day is celebrated on 13th September. This date was chosen to honor the birth of a very important and inspirational person for those chocolate lovers: Roald Dahl (1916), British writer and author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the novel that Tim Burton brought to the cinema with Johnny Depp as the main character.

According to the Academy of Chocolate and Confectionary based in France, the date should be 7th July to mark the arrival of cocoa from America to Europe in 1550. It was the original inhabitants of the Amazon region that discovered how to process cocoa beans, more than three thousand years ago. The Mayans cultivated and the Aztecs perfected the process that allowed them to obtain a valued and aromatic drink.

One of the most important nutritive qualities of cocoa is the presence of antioxidants. This contribution complements that made by other foods such as fruits and vegetables. The antioxidant activity generates various benefits for cardiovascular health, just like Omega 9 fatty acids which are also found in cocoa.

Chocolate is considered an energy food because it provides fats and carbohydrates, two sources that can be good additions to the diet of athletes or people who need an extra energy boost. Of the total fiber provided, 20% is soluble and 80% insoluble.

Chocolate also counts towards the 25g of fiber that the Argentine Food Code recommends for daily consumption, complementing the contribution of whole grains, fruits and vegetables.

When choosing the chocolate that is most compatible with a healthy lifestyle, it is important to bear in mind that dark and semi-dark chocolate contain a higher amount of cocoa to milk chocolate and, therefore, provide the greatest amount of antioxidants and dietary fiber. They are also the best option if you want to frequently incorporate chocolate into a balanced diet. Because it is an energy food, it is important to moderate its consumption in order to enjoy its benefits without unbalancing our diet.

The key to integrating chocolate into a balanced diet is to consume it in moderation: between two and six portions per week.

Gluten free chocolates

Chocolate often forms part of those moments shared and enjoyed with family and friends. That is why we, at Arcor, produce gluten free chocolates under the Arcor, Godt, Misky and Aguila brands, all certified and with the identified logo on their packaging.

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