3 Good Reasons to Indulge in Dark Chocolate
You’re sitting at your desk, 3:00 p.m. rolls around, and you suddenly feel the urgent need for a pick-me-up. Well, go ahead and indulge in the ultimate piece of delicious dark chocolate without feeling guilty.
There are far too many reasons to enjoy that decadent chocolate truffle or piece of dark chocolate, such as life is short, live every day as if it were your last, enjoy when you can etc.
Here are three of many solid reasons to enjoy that truffle or stir up some decadence of rich dark chocolate cocoa and drink up!
- Studies by a group of doctors in Zurich Switzerland found that dark chocolate improves coronary heart disease. The potent antioxidant properties improve coronary vascular function and decreases platelet adhesion just 2 hours after consumption.
- A cocoa drink rich in flavanols boosts brain power by boosting blood flow to key areas of the brain for two to three hours according to a study led by Professor Ian Macdonald, a University of Nottingham expert. Increased blood flow to these areas of the brain may help to increase performance and boost alertness over a short period.
- Dark chocolate helps with depression, according to Dr. Diana Walcutt, in an article on healthcentral.com. According to Dr. Walcutt, the cocoa helps boost endorphin’s (natural opiates) in the brain as well as serotonin (a neurotransmitter that helps fight depression).
Never be more than 12 steps away from chocolate! – Terry Moore
Not all chocolate is processed equal ! Waxes fillers roasted beans alkalising and refined sugar will remove the health benefits of dark chocolate.
That’s why it’s better to use a Organic Raw and bio chocolate that has a minimum of 800 mg flavonoids in one square ( 10 gram) . Like ProF. Rodger Corder mentioned in his presentation
chocolate as a functional food http://www.fhf.org.uk/meetings/2007-12-11_corder.pdf
Like to eat the same healthy chocolate i do contact me at Facebook: http://on.fb.me/nKRwhr
Have a nice day
Peter
I love the science behind healthy chocolate. The most important thing to consider when eating dark chocolate is how the cocoa beans are processed. Commercial processing destroys most of the fragile antioxidants. I have found a healthy chocolate that is not candy, but the most advanced health product you can buy. It is raw, unprocessed cacao that eliminates the processed sugars, bad fats and caffeine and tastes so decadent and delicious you think you are doing something wrong! There is a great article on the difference between “good” chocolate and “bad” chocolate at cocoa101blog.com.
Dark chocolate in moderation has many other health benefits as well, including improved blood circulation, lowered blood pressure, lowered cholesterol, protection from cancer, improved brain function, protection against tooth decay, improved post-workout muscle recovery, and skin damage protection. These benefits are attributable to the high concentration of antioxidants in dark chocolate.
And here are four steps to maximize the health benefits of dark chocolate:
The Darker the Chocolate, the Better. Dark chocolate has a higher percentage of cocoa solids, containing the health benefits, than milk or white chocolate. Most dark chocolate products have the cocoa percentage labeled.
Eat Moderate Portions. Chocolate is a high-calorie food. Over indulge, and the health benefits of dark chocolate can be quickly outweighed by the problems of weight gain.
Avoid the High Calorie Extras. The health benefits of dark chocolate come from the antioxidants in the cocoa solids. All of the other ingredients, like sugar, and any extras, like nougat, caramel, marshmallow, etc., just add calories.
Do Not Consume With Milk. For some reason, not yet scientifically understood, the health benefits of dark chocolate are basically negated if the dark chocolate is consumed with milk.