Cebu City- February is the season of love in celebration of Valentine's Day, and you already know what that implies. It means that people often give out the sweetness like chocolates, cakes, or candies as gifts to their partners or even to friends. But do you often stop and think about what happens if you eat too many sweets?

Chocolates are from cocoa beans which are then processed and added with different ingredients to make them more edible and palatable to various age groups. The darker the chocolate, the lesser sweet it is. Adults prefer dark chocolate since it is 70-80% pure cocoa and less sweet. On the other hand, kids prefer milk chocolates because of their sweetness. 

Dark chocolates contain antioxidants that fight off inflammation and help protect our cells from damage caused by free radicals. It is also beneficial for brain function, although it still needs much research to support this claim. It is said that chocolates help aid in blood flow to the brain.

There is nothing wrong with eating chocolates or sweets, but it is important to be aware on how much you should consume. Remember, too much is not beneficial for the body. Moderation is the key and note that balanced diet is still the best lifestyle. // NO I Christine April M. Lopez, RND