Is it true that chocolate constipated?
Surely your mother or grandmother will have heard a phrase really very common, whose belief the least is widespread among many people: the chocolate struts. That is, if we stick to the explanation given by the Royal Spanish Academy for this term, we find that chocolate is a food that delays the course of intestinal contents and makes it difficult to evacuate. Being even clearer: causes constipation.
It is true that, in certain diseases or problems, both digestive and vesicular, the consumption of chocolate in particular or of the cocoa in general it can cause this action, but did you know that actually chocolate does not squeeze?.
We find ourselves -we could say it like that- in front of one of those myths and erroneous beliefs that, in addition to not being true, have passed from generation to generation as if it really were.
The reason is actually very clear: cocoa, which is the basic component of chocolate, is extremely rich in theobromine, an alkaloid quite similar to caffeine.
The truth is that when we consume chocolate in large quantities there is actually an acceleration of the peristaltic waves, which means that it accelerates the movements of the intestines, causing diarrhea.
To this alkaloid we must also add the presence of cocoa fat, on the one hand, and milk lactose on the other (if we opt for the variety of milk chocolate). Both components can also cause diarrhea, although it is true that their contents fats favor the secretion of bile, which results in a good functioning of the intestines.
To everything indicated above, we must add that it is a food rich in tannins, which stimulate the contraction of the smooth muscle fibers of the small intestine.
What could be the reason for the myth that chocolate causes constipation?
It probably could be because chocolate consumed in large quantities can indigestion, so that the person has difficulty performing a normal digestion.
In fact, as indicated in the previous section, the truth is that in excessive amounts produces an effect that is popularly known as it releases your stomach (causes diarrhea)
Of course, we must bear in mind that in certain pathologies it would not be advisable to consume chocolate and cocoa, as is the case, for example, irritable bowel syndrome (also know as irritable bowel).
So, how to eat chocolate so it does not cause digestive problems?
As we have told you, excessive consumption of chocolate can cause digestive problems, mainly indigestion (that is, the inability of our digestive system to carry out a normal digestion). In fact, it is common for this indigestion to be accompanied by other symptoms and related discomforts, such as: gas and flatulence, abdominal swelling, stomach pain ...
Even consumed in large quantities can cause diarrhea, something contrary to what is supposed to happen if it were true that chocolate caused constipation. This is due to the presence of theobromine in cocoa, as we have said.
Therefore, the key to get away from all these discomforts and digestive problems, and enjoy especially the different qualities that chocolate offers us with health and safely, is to consume small amounts of chocolate.
For example, most nutritionists advise eat 25 grams of chocolate every day, especially opting for black or purer chocolate, so that the purer your cocoa content will be, and its qualities will also increase.
And how much are 25 grams? To not always be with the scale in hand, would be more or less to 3 pieces or squares of chocolate. This article is published for informational purposes only. You can not and should not replace the consultation with a Nutritionist. We advise you to consult your trusted Nutritionist. ThemesChocolate
