Chocolate Exposed

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"There are four basic food groups: milk chocolate dark
chocolate white chocolate and chocolate truffles." This
anonymous quotation expresses the commonly-felt sentiment
towards this "food of the gods." Our love for chocolate is
played out in the many roles that we equate it with: we give it
as gifts on Valentine's Day we binge on it when we're
depressed we crave it as a comfort food and in general most of
us just need a daily fix. It would be great news for most of us
if there was truth to the report that chocolate isn't as bad as
it is frequently thought....because then we might not feel so
guilty after we indulge. Does chocolate indeed possess
beneficial qualities?      

We've all heard the conflicting reports that chocolate is either
a healthful treat or a plague to be avoided but the truth falls
somewhere in the middle. While it is true that it contains many
good-for-you benefits it is also extremely calorie-dense and
usually has too much added sugar and other detrimental
ingredients. But on a good note cocoa is a rich source of
flavenoids or naturally-occuring antioxidants that are also
found in fruits in vegetables as well as tea and red wine. These
properties help to guard against cancer and even heart
disease--more specifically they prevent fat-like substances
from oxidizing and clogging the arteries. In addition the nitric
acid that is present in cocoa is a compound necessary for
maintaining a healthy blood pressure.      

A study done on an island near Panama may give us an idea of the
effect that cocoa has on blood pressure. The residents of Kuna
are known to drink about five cups of cocoa a day as well as
including it in many of their recipes. Accordingly they very
seldom develop high blood pressure until they move off the
island; the study found that it was not related to salt intake
or obesity.      

Chocolate is not just good for your heart but studies are
showing that it does in fact help improve your mood. More than
400 chemicals have been identified in chocolate many of them
pertaining to your mental state. The consumption of chocolate
has also been found to stimulate the secretion of endorphins or
the "feel-good" hormones that have been acquainted with the
mood-lift you feel after an intense workout. This could explain
the cravings many women endure around their menstrual cycle.      

It is important to realize that the health benefits mentioned
are specific to certain types of chocolate. Many factors
including different processing methods and ingredients reduce
the flavenoid content and increase the fat and sugar levels. In
particular Dutch processing has been found to reduce the
healthful qualities the most and obviously white chocolate is
not included in the category because it is not a real chocolate.
Dark chocolate has been found to be the best choice due to its
higher flavenoid and lower sugar content. Care must be taken
when consuming chocolate; moderation is always the key.      

There is hope for all of the chocolate lovers out there. Despite
the fact that it is high in sugar a little (dark) chocolate as
a treat now and then won't harm you too much and it may help to
keep your arteries free and clear. Of course the best sources
for flavenoids are still fruits and vegetables it is reassuring
to know that we're at least getting something back when we
satisfy our cravings.

About the author:
Brianna Stanley has turned her passion for health and wellness
into her business. To find out more about the Freedom Project's
simple 3-step process click here:
http://www.miniofficeoutlets.com/stanley