2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29
Undoubtedly the most delicious and popular sweet in the world is chocolate. There is hardly anyone who does not agree with this and does not adore this sweet temptation.
At the same time, however, a favorite delicacy can be harmful to health, especially children's health.
If you also have children, then you have certainly thought about this topic and whether to give chocolate to the child you.
Chocolate and children - what medicine says
Around chocolate there are many myths, and they are often quite contradictory. In reality, however, there are some diseases that can be provoked by excessive consumption of chocolate, but at the same time in many cases it can be useful.
Caries
From an early age we hear from adults that chocolate and jam it is generally harmful to the teeth. And indeed - due to the sugar contained in it, the acidity increases, and it damages the still unstrengthened enamel of children's teeth. Although modern dentistry today has learned to treat teeth virtually painlessly, a visit to the dentist is always a real stress for many children. If we have to summarize this, we will add that chocolate itself does not damage teethand sugar in its composition.
Energy source and overweight problem
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Carbohydrates are a wonderful source of energy, but it must be expended sometime after. The reason is that the excess carbohydrates that are not consumed are then processed into adipose tissue. This is one of the reasons why children today often suffer from obesity at an early age.
On the other hand, when a small amount of carbohydrates enters the body, then the fat layer begins to burn. However, for most children this is not enough to replenish energy reserves. That is, subcutaneous fat, which is not enough, is consumed one type and thus a metabolic disorder occurs, which is also harmful to the child's body. That is why a key point in the nutrition of a child of any age is a balanced and healthy children's menu.
Alergic reaction
Exceeding norms for chocolate consumption may provoke an allergic reaction. Due to its high fat content, the digestive system of the growing body is under serious stress. As a result, the pancreas fails to produce enough enzymes, while the proteins of highly allergenic products, including chocolate, fail to break down fats and process them properly. Unprocessed substances are perceived as an allergen by the immune system. In response, children most often get allergic skin dermatitis.
Pleasure hormones
In addition to harm, chocolate can also be useful. When consumed, pleasure hormones are produced, namely endorphins. That is why cocoa dessert removes sadness and makes us happy. But here too you should be careful, because theobromine and caffeine substances contained in cocoa beans have a strong tonic effect. Because of this you should not give chocolate to children before bedtimeas they will become hyperactive from it and will not be able to sleep. It is also important to be careful with the amount, for example, from 3 to 5 years can eat only 40 g of chocolate a day.
The increased amount theobromine in chocolate excites the heart and nervous system, and its increased amount in the child's body can lead to:
- Insomnia;
- Anxiety;
- Irritability;
- Trembling;
- Dizziness;
- Disrupts the heart;
- Tachycardia or arrhythmia.
How to choose chocolate for your children?
In order not to confuse the natural product with fake or soy chocolate, you should pay attention to the following things:
- Natural chocolate has a smooth surface with even shine;
- The color is even, without any whitish areas;
- If it melts immediately in the hand, then it is high quality;
- The composition should not contain soy or palm oil.
However, the higher the quality, the better do not give dark chocolate to young children. The maximum cocoa content should not exceed 50%, but should not be less than 25%. The shops sell chocolates with various additives; walnuts, with pieces of biscuits, jam, fruit and creams. Of these, it is better to give preference to those that contain whole walnuts or raisins. You should not buy children white chocolateas it does not contain any milk.
When should you not give children chocolate?
If the child is very allergic, then it is better not to give him chocolate, because it is one of the most allergenic products. You should also not give it to them in case of lactase deficiency and problems with the absorption of lecithin. Chocolate is contraindicated in childrenwho have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The reason is that it contains caffeine, which excites the nervous system. This sweet product is also contraindicated for children who have diseases of the cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal tract, obesity to varying degrees or prerequisites for this.
You can't deprive your children of every single sweet temptation, but with chocolate it is important to be especially careful not to give them this treat in large quantities.
Always buy only quality chocolate, which does not contain soy or palm oil, as well as one with a cocoa content of more than 30%.
Take care of your children's health, because only then will they have a happy and carefree childhood.
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