Hot Chocolate - [Picture of lifestyle]

Hot Chocolate

Hot chocolate, also known as hot cocoa or drinking chocolate, is heated chocolate milk. Hot chocolate made with melted chocolate is sometimes called drinking chocolate, characterized by less sweetness and a thicker consistency.

The first chocolate drink is believed to have been created by the Maya around 2,500–3,000 years ago, and a cocoa drink was an essential part of Aztec culture by 1400 AD, by which they referred to as xocōlātl. The drink became popular in Europe after being introduced from Mexico in the New World and has undergone multiple changes since then. Until the 19th century, hot chocolate was used medicinally to treat ailments such as liver and stomach diseases.

Here are some reasons to rank hot cocoa as healthful:

1. Antioxidant strength

Cocoa is twice as strong as red wine when it comes to antioxidants, 2-3 times as strong as green tea and 4-5 times as strong as black tea. Antioxidants help prevent cancer, heart disease and aging.

2. Contains flavonoids

Hot cocoa is rich in flavonoids, which improve blood flow. Improved blood flow reduces the chance of blood clots, lowers blood pressure, improves heart health and helps you think better thanks to better blood flow to the brain.

3. Contains less fat

Hot cocoa has less fat than bar chocolate. Hot chocolate is chocolate melted in liquid, while hot cocoa is cocoa powder melted in hot water or milk.

4. healthy bedtime option

hot chocolate may help you fall asleep, especially if you associate the drink with bedtime. The warm milk in the hot chocolate is associated with relaxing you to sleep but the effects are likely more psychological than physical. Hot chocolate is also high in sugar, which is not the healthiest option before bed!

Part of the reason it can help is that it is super relaxing, you get a nice endorphin hit from the chocolate while the warm drink is utterly soothing.

And it becomes twice as effective if you had it growing up, if you grew up having a hot chocolate and then going to bed you likely built up an association that tells you when you have hot chocolate it’s time to sleep.

And if you had the association as a child it will still exist as an adult so you can tap into it by having hot chocolate and you’ll start to feel sleepy.

Here is a recipe you can try.

Creamy Homemade Hot Chocolate. A combination of cocoa powder and chocolate chips make this hot chocolate extra flavorful and delicious! Ready in minutes.

Ingredients

4 cups milk (preferably whole or 2%)

¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

¼ cup granulated sugar

½ cup bittersweet or semisweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate bar

¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions

Place milk, cocoa powder and sugar in a small saucepan. Heat over medium/medium-low heat, whisking frequently, until warm (but not boiling). Add chocolate chips and whisk constantly until the chocolate chips melt and distribute evenly into the milk. Whisk in vanilla extract, serve immediately.

Nutrition