There are many people who are simply not aware of the fact that chocolate has plenty of health and nutritional benefits. Chocolate is made from the plants and thus it has the same health benefits as that of the dark vegetables. The greatest news is that the chocolate does not have a lot of fat and therefore can be consumed by even those people who are on diet.
The fats which are present in chocolates are mainly 1/3 oleic acid, 1/3 stearic acid and 1/3 palmitic acid. Oleic Acid is generally a healthy monounsaturated fat that is essentially found in olive oil. Stearic Acid, on the other hand, is a saturated fat but has a neutral effect on cholesterol. These fats do not let the blood cholesterol level rise.
Apart from protecting the heart, the chocolates stimulate endorphin production giving a feeling of pleasure. It contains serotonin, which acts as an anti-depressant and last but not the least it has theobromine, caffeine and other substances which are stimulants. So for a depressed person this can be an ideal choice.
Studies show that a small square of dark chocolate every three days is the ideal dose for the cardio-vascular benefits. Dark chocolates have also been shown to reduce the level of cholesterol up to 10 percent. However, eating more chocolate spoils the health and nutritional benefits of chocolate. Therefore, it is essential to eat chocolates but in limits in order to utilize the health benefits of chocolates to the fullest extent possible.
Chocolates generally contain a huge amount of anti-oxidants which are very beneficial for the health. Anti-oxidants can reduce the risk of cancer, strokes as well as heart attacks. Anti-oxidants also protect the body from aging and help relax the blood pressure through the production of nitric oxide and certain hormones in the body.
Besides anti-oxidants, chocolates also contain sugar, Theobromine, Phenylethylamine as well as several essential minerals. Phenylethylamine acts as a slight antidepressant and stimulant. It also plays a great role in increasing the focus and alertness in love. Chocolate can also increase the level of serotonine in the brain. Serotonine levels are often decreased in people with depression and in those experiencing PMS symptoms.
The minerals that are present in the chocolate include copper, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, and calcium. Magnesium is truly required by the body and often the diet lacks proper amount of magnesium. With chocolates, the magnesium level in the body can rise up and thereby help in the formation of strong bones, relaxed muscles. Vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C, and E are all contained in chocolate.
A bliss chemical called the Anandamide is released by the brain when a person feels great. Chocolate contains properties of this bliss chemical as a result of which it can act as a natural mood enhancer.
So next time when you are having a chocolate do not only think that you would put on weight; rather focus on the positive heath benefits of chocolate.
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This is tremendously great news for me because I love chocolate. With this information, would it be safe to say that Godiva (dark) chocolate can actually be of a health benefit?
Rahim Samuel
Publisher, Wellnessbymanymeans.com
While health is wealth most of our people no good health and it is the reality that they have no wealth to keep health well. To keep good health we also need wealth. Health is wealth? Not always that!
Dark chocolate is my favorite kind of chocolate. Chocolates have some natural antioxidants too.’,;
i love to eat dark chocolate because it is very tasty and it is full of antioxidants too:,-
Oh I agree Adam Moore. People think I am crazy because I prefer dark chocolate over milk, but it is just so delicious and healthier too. I kind of like the bitter taste.
yups…i also believed d same thing..in fact i’m addicted to delicious black choaclate!! it’s very tasty whatever the nutrition facts contain!!