Dark Chocolate - the New Health Food

In case you haven’t heard - dark chocolates have grown in demand recently due to studies showing the incredible health benefits of chocolate consumption as well as the fact that it is a lower fat chocolate!  More and more people are now including dark chocolates in their diet. So in addition to the fact that eating chocolates can give you feelings of relaxation and a natural high, dark chocolates can actually promote good health. What is it that makes dark chocolate a healthy choice? The answer lies in the ingredients of dark chocolates which include more cacao, less sugar and no milk additives. These ingredients are the reason why the expression “plain chocolate” is frequently used to refer to talk about dark chocolates. With all these health benefits attributed to dark chocolates, is there a catch that you need to be aware of?

The latest studies show that eating 1.6-ounce of dark chocolate daily have several health benefits. In fact it may begin to replace eating apples as a way to avoid getting sick! The results show that the flavonoids content of dark chocolates can lower the risks of heart diseases because it promotes blood clotting.  That in turn helps increase the blood flow through the heart. Secondly, dark chocolates can help in lower blood pressure and cholesterol.  It gives you feelings of greater relaxation and acts as natural anti-depressant.  Other benefits include: enhanced digestion and appetite, reduction in potential cancers, higher levels of antioxidants in the body, lessening in the decline of brain activity due to age, and potential aid in the treatment of anemia and kidney stones, among several other ailments.

What makes dark chocolate healthy?  Basically it is the natural components of dark chocolate which comes from the plant seeds of cacao. These components carry the same benefits you get from eating fruits and vegetables. Additionally, dark chocolates are healthy to eat is because their ingredient mix is different from the regular commercial chocolates. High quality gourmet chocolates include dark chocolates which are made with cacao and mixed with less milk, less sugar, and nougats or caramel as found in several popular chocolate bars. On top of this, the dark chocolate substance called flavonoids is believed to have more antioxidants than those found in other fruits such as strawberries. This health factor can also help lower blood pressure and balance some hormones in your body.

So with all of these good things said, is there a catch to eating dark chocolates? Not really, though there is a precaution - that too much of anything is still bad for anyone. Eating too much dark chocolate can still be fattening even though only 1/3 of its fat is bad for your health. Consuming dark chocolates by the pound will definitely increase your calorie intake and will convert into unwanted pounds if it isn’t outweighed by your amount of exercise! Better cut out or lessen other foods in your diet to make room for dark chocolates if you are not satisfied with the recommended 1.6 ounce daily intake.

Aside from all of these health benefits, eating dark chocolates is definitely an experience more pleasurable than kissing for some people! Small daily doses of dark chocolate can give you a natural high that will make you feel relaxed and warm inside. Adding this to your balanced diet and regular exercise can make you healthier and happier inside and out.  So when you are reaching for some delicious gourmet chocolates, check out the dark chocolate options and feel better about your health!