For more information on the health benefits of chocolate, visit Chocolate Is Healthy. Learn how chocolate can prevent heart attacks. Read about raw organic chocolate.
There are significant health benefits to dark chocolate. According to research studies, chocolate provides clues to fighting disease. Your health and well-being can be enhanced while you savor and enjoy chocolate. Below, you’ll see how research involving chocolate consumption can help conditions such as high cholesterol, heart disease and high blood pressure.
Chocolate and Cancer
The same antioxidants found in wine and green tea are found in raw cacao and dark chocolate. Antioxidants protect cells from toxins, slow the growth of cancer cells, and help reduce cancer risks and heart disease. The greater the amount of cacao contained in chocolate, the more antioxidants it has. (Note: White chocolate does not contain antioxidants, so look for dark chocolate instead).
Chocolate and Cholesterol
While many foods high in saturated fats are known to raise cholesterol levels, studies have shown that chocolate consumption does not. This is due to the type of saturated fat chocolate contains. Less harmful saturated fat in one’s diet means plaque that can gather in the arteries. In fact, studies have shown that dark chocolate may in fact boost good cholesterol.
Chocolate and Depression
The fat naturally found in chocolate helps provide a feeling of enjoyment and satisfaction, releasing mood-enhancing endorphins. Chocolate also may help relieve symptoms of anxiety. It is thought to have an opiate effect that may help improve mood. A study conducted on patients who were depressed showed that the dark chocolate provided relief from their symptoms.
Chocolate and Circulation
Since the chemicals in dark chocolate help prevent the formation blood platelets, the chance of blood clots is minimized. In addition, blood pressure may be lowered with a regular consumption of dark chocolate each day. This is a result of the flavonoids present in cacao that help with circulation. Keep in mind that flavonoids are lower in milk chocolate than dark chocolate.
How Much Chocolate Can You Have?
Include 1 ounce of dark chocolate per day to your diet. Select your chocolate carefully, ensuring that there are no refined sugars or hydrogenated oils, which have undesirable health effects. Also, look for a high percentage of cacao (70% or above). Remember that chocolate does have calories, so make necessary modifications to your calorie intake.
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A
- Spices For Depression: They Really Can Spice Up Your Mood
- How to Get the Antioxidants your Body Needs
- Very Berry Smoothies Vary in Application as Depression Treatment
- Depression Part V -how to Prevent and Treat Depression With Vitamins and Minerals
- Free the Radicals with Antioxidants
- Getting Antioxidant To Improve Your Health
- Vegetables Have Lots OF Antioxidants
- Nutrition, Antioxidants and Brain Health, Oh My!
Promotional Sweets: A Popular Way to Increase your Business Reach
By: Article Expert | 17/12/2009Personalized sweets are more useful for the tradeshows, conferences, seminars and exhibitions. Organizations are usually procuring less costly items to be given as the gift items in such gatherings.
The Best Chocolate Bars in the World
By: Kasan Groupe | 15/12/2009There are times when you just have to have the best tasting chocolate at your disposal. Ritter and Lindt make the best, and here is why.
German Chocolate Cake - Introducing the Best Chocolate Recipe You've Ever Tasted
By: Markus Allen | 14/12/2009Are you frustrated with trying to find a tasty German chocolate cake recipe? Let me show you how to bake the most amazing German chocolate cake -- guaranteed to impress your friends and family.
A Guide to Chocolate Candy
By: WALIEK COPELAND | 12/12/2009Chocolate candy is the most loved, sweetest, and favorite candy. This is one of the sweet endless delights that can be enjoyed to the fullest. Chocolate can be presented in so many ways, shapes, sizes, and with so many additions. Chocolate is also used to coat other delectable desserts such as ice cream and cakes. Given this, it can be expected that chocolate would become more popular among children and adults in the generations to come.
Make this Christmas special by making your own Chocolates
By: cybrtrayd | 11/12/2009Chocolates are considered to be the most popular gift ever. Its more fun if you make your own chocolates at home using candy molds and other products which are easily available online . Cybrtrayd is one such website where you can choose from large variety of candy molds. The molds included are Christmas molds, Halloween molds, Baby shower molds, Lollystick molds, Easter molds, Thanksgiving molds.
It is very fun and simple to make your own candy at home
By: Paul Ingersole | 08/12/2009It is very fun and simple to make your own candy at home. You can purchase candy wrappers online or from hobby shops to wrap them up individually. This is great for chocolates and other types of candy that you wish to make for your friends and family. Some people operate a home based business selling their own candy. You can customized the candy wrappers as well, putting your name or business name on them.
Make sure you use a double boiler to melt the chocolate
By: Paul Ingersole | 08/12/2009Suckers are very simple to make. You can use hard candy materials or you can make chocolate suckers. You can use molds of different shapes to make them however you would like. The molds come with a holder for your stick to rest on as well so that when the mixture solidifies, it is well in place.
The first candy bar was introduced in 1900, created by Milton Hershey
By: Paul Ingersole | 08/12/2009They marketed their famous Hershey Kiss in 1907, with each one being individually wrapped in gold foil with a small paper with the name on the top. The Hershey kiss is a well known chocolate favorite for Valentine’s Day. They also make a variety of them for various holidays including the Peppermint Twist for Christmas time. Other varieties include caramel filled, chocolate filled, white chocolate, and classic kisses with almonds in the middle.
CZ Hoop Earrings in Famously Eye-Catching Styles
By: Sarita Haines | 07/08/2009 | JewelryWho would have thought there would be so many factors to consider when buying cubic zirconia hoop earrings? To select the right pair of cz hoop earrings for you, you'll need to answer several questions. Do you want something more traditional or modern? Casual or formal? Eye catching or subdued? Styles and sizes also vary widely with different precious metals, diameters and hoop shapes. Selecting the right earrings to compliment your face will make cz hoops your favorite jewelry to wear.
Cake Pans in 3 Styles - Traditional, Springform and Shaped Cake Pans
By: Sarita Haines | 07/08/2009 | Cooking TipsDifferent cakes call for different types of cake pans. Here is an overview of the three main types of cake pans that home bakers will want to have on hand: traditional round pans, springform pans and shaped pans or cake molds. If you buy high-quality cake pans, they can last a lifetime. Using our suggestions below, you'll find just the right bakeware. With it, you'll turn out one beautiful cake after another for years to come.
What Is Raw Chocolate and Why Eat It?
By: Sarita Haines | 21/06/2009 | ChocolateDark chocolate is made from the nutrition-rich cacao plant. Unfortunately, once the chocolate from the cacao plant goes through the standard roasting process, the majority of its nutrients dissipate.
Celebrity Birthdays: Inspiration For Your Next Birthday Party
By: Sarita Haines | 09/06/2009 | Home & FamilyWhen it comes to birthday parties, the glitterati know how to celebrate. While the stars' names and the budgets may be bigger, you can look at celebrities' parties to help come up with memorable birthday bash ideas of your own.
10 Birthday Party Ideas That Teens Will Love
By: Sarita Haines | 08/06/2009 | TeenagersStep outside your regular routine when celebrating a teenager's birthday. The following birthday party ideas will provide teenagers and adults with highly memorable birthday. These ideas fall into a range of price points, but what they share is an opportunity for excitement, sharing and bonding with loved ones.
The Origins and Distribution of the Acai Berry
By: Sarita Haines | 08/06/2009 | Supplements & VitaminsWhile commercial opportunities abound for acai, there is increasing awareness of the environmental impact of acai harvesting. The acai plant is necessary for soil conservation, particularly in tropical areas that receive heavy rains. In the long term, careful, ecologically-sound measures will help preserve the commercial acai industry.
Dazzling Silver and Cubic Zirconia Jewelry: 5 Reasons To Buy
By: Sarita Haines | 07/06/2009 | JewelryMany of today’s accessory trends begin with sterling silver cubic zirconia (CZ). CZ is an ethical and reasonably-priced alternative to diamonds. Today’s most well-known, jewelry designers are introducing lines of "faux" styles that perfectly mimic real gemstone pieces. Manmade stones such as cubic zirconia are beautiful and easy to maintain.
The Principles of Cheesemaking
By: Sarita Haines | 07/06/2009 | Cooking TipsFresh milk, your choice of starter cultures, rennet and the concentration and aging processes all help determine the finished cheese. While creating a good cheese is a process of trial and error, they are many general concepts that will help you get started.