Can Chocolate Be Good For You?
Youre probably not used to hearing how chocolate can be good for you
. After all, most of us have the notion that chocolate is bad for the health and that its fattening, among other things. But the truth is, chocolate is very healthy and its actually good for you!
Chocolate comes from plants, so it contains several of the health benefits that can be found in dark vegetables. More specifically, chocolate is derived from the cocoa bean, which is the dried and fully fermented seed of the cocoa tree. It is the source of cocoa solids and cocoa butter.
The cocoa tree grows in the tropical rainforests of Africa, South America, and Malaysia. Its scientific name is Theobroma cacao. Theobroma is Latin for food of the gods. And its aptly named too, as its seeds provide a host of benefits.
Did you know that raw cocoa has the highest antioxidant value of all natural foods in the world, even more than acai berries, prunes, and strawberries? The Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) score per 100 grams for these foods are:
Unprocessed raw cocoa 28,000
Acai berries 18,500
Prunes 5,770
Strawberries 1,540
In addition, a Cornell University study found that cocoa powder has almost twice the antioxidants of red wine, and up to thrice the antioxidants of green tea.
Consuming the right kind of
healthy chocolate can do wonders for our body. Aside from its anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties, cocoa is also a good source of the following:
Magnesium Prevents heart problems, lowers blood pressure, and balances brain chemistry.
Sulfur Helps build strong nails and hair, promotes beautiful skin, detoxifies the liver, and supports the health of the pancreas.
Flavanols Helps maintain healthy blood pressure and blood flow. Flavanols help make blood platelets less likely to form together, thereby preventing blood clots, strokes, and heart attacks.
Tryptophan This amino acid is responsible for the creation of the neurotransmitter called serotonin, which promotes positive feelings.
Phenylethylamine (PEA) Helps promote concentration and mental alertness.
Some surprising benefits of
healthy chocolate:
Its appetite-suppressing properties can actually help you lose weight!
Consuming dark chocolate can lead to an increased sensitivity to insulin which in turn protects against diabetes.
The fats found in cocoa butter are healthy monounsaturated fats known as oleic acid, which is also found in olive oil and believed to increase good HDL cholesterol levels.
Smokers can benefit from the antioxidant properties of healthy chocolate, as well as its ability to help prevent the hardening of arteries.
Keep in mind though, that not all chocolates are created equal, so dont reach for that bar of chocolate candy just yet. Raw and unprocessed cocoa beans, or cocoa powder made from raw cocoa beans are the real healthy chocolate. The best type of chocolate are the dark ones, made without refined sugar, dairy products, waxes, chemical preservatives, and bad fats, as these are the ingredients that cause most of the problems usually associated with chocolate.
Generally, the healthiest kinds of chocolate, listed in descending order, are:
4.Organic, raw, and unprocessed cocoa beans or cocoa mass
5.Organic and unroasted cocoa powder not treated with alkalis (this process destroys most of the flavanols)
6.Organic dark chocolate with the most cocoa powder or cocoa liquor, and the least refined sugar
But before you dig in to some yummy, healthy dark chocolate, remember the old adage, Too much of a good thing can be bad. Cocoa is a rich source of copper, and too much copper can lead to certain health problems. So remember to consume cocoa and dark chocolate in moderation, and enjoy the health benefits of this magical bean!
by: Danny Shaw
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