If you are allergic to chocolate then you suffer from Allergies Type 1, also called Contact Allergies. Scientists do not clearly understand why the immune system of people allergic to chocolate considers some food proteins as harmful by the body.



The immune system can mount a variety of defenses mechanisms against proteins that is considers as harmful or foreign. Symptoms can be very mild to life-threatening depending on the severity of your chocolate allergies. They usually occur within a few minutes to a few hours after eating or inhaling chocolate.

True allergies to chocolate or cocoa are very rare. Other ingredients, additives or chemicals found in processed chocolate such as nuts, milk, gluten from wheat, soybeans, corn, syrup, caffeine, Theo-bromine, and Phenyl-ethylamine, cause most allergic reactions to chocolate. The higher the quality of chocolate the lower the chances of other additives being found in chocolate.

Cocoa is made from the seeds of the cocoa tree that have been fermented, roasted and then ground up. The cocoa tree originated in Central America but is now grown in tropical climates around the world.

The proteins found in chocolate trigger the immune system to reaction. Antibodies and histamines are releases into the blood stream in an attempt to neutralize the chocolate protein. These chemicals trigger the allergic symptoms. In sever cases Epinephrine, also call Adrenaline, is administered to control the anaphylaxis reaction.

If you are unsure if you are allergic to chocolates then one of the tests you could be given is called Food Challenge Test. Avoid all chocolates for several weeks. The doctor will then give you pure chocolate without any of the other ingredients usually found in processed chocolate. This test needs to be given under close supervision by an allergist. If you are truly allergic to chocolate a violent reactions may occur and emergency medical attention may be needed. If symptoms appear within two hours after the taking the pill then you are allergic to it and will need to avoid it.

Avoidance can be very difficult because cocoa is often hidden in other foods. Read the labels of every food that you bring into your home. Because the manufacturing processes change continuously re-read the labels each time you purchase a product. On January 1, 2006 a new law was passed stating that all labels should be designed in such a way that a 7-year-old child could read and understand the ingredients.

Some of the health benefits of eating chocolate, in moderation of course, are reducing the risk of hart disease, increase longevity, increases libido and increased sexual fulfillment. Antioxidants are also found in chocolate and are believed to lower the amount of cholesterol in the blood stream. Just because it tastes good does not mean that it is bad for you so enjoy the occasional teat, you deserve it.

Always consult your doctor before using this information.

This Article is nutritional in nature and is not to be construed as medical advice.