Chocolate comes from plants; therefore, it provides several of the same health benefits and many dark vegetables. The benefits come from flavonoids that act as antioxidants. Antioxidants are needed by the body to protect against aging, which is caused by free radicals that can also lead to heart disease. In fact, dark chocolate actually contains almost eight times the amount of antioxidants that you would get from strawberries. A number of benefits to chocolate exist, such as:
Flavonoids lower blood pressure by producing nitric oxide as well as balancing specific hormones in the body. Nitric oxide plays a major role in maintaining cardiovascular health.
Chocolate comes from Cacao, which contains certain antibacterial agents that are effective in fighting tooth decay. However, the positive effects are counteracted by the sugar in milk chocolate, so stick with dark chocolate for the best results.
Chocolate contains phenyl ethylamine, which has been proven to be effective at mild mood elevation.
The cocoa butter that is in chocolate contains a mono-unsaturated fat known as oleic acid, which helps to raise your HDL cholesterol, or “good cholesterol” levels. Chocolate is also effective in reducing LDL cholesterol, or “bad cholesterol” by as much as ten percent.
If you are looking to diminish your appetite to lose a pound or two, try a cup of hot chocolate before you meal. Dark chocolate helps to satisfy cravings for sugary, salty and fatty foods. Studies show that if you eat dark chocolate before a meal you will consume fewer calories.
Chocolate is full of carbohydrates that work to effectively increase the levels of serotonin in the brain, which results in an overall feeling of well being. It could possibly even lower pain sensitivity.
The anandamide in chocolate acts similar to a cannabinoid to effectively promote relaxation. Chocolate triggers the brain to produce natural opiates, giving you an energy boost with less anxiety.
In all actuality, chocolate is probably one of, if not the most popular sweet treats on the planet. This has been true for hundreds and hundreds of years. In fact, chocolate is so good that many people fall victim to believing the horrible myths about chocolate such as it causes acne, migraines and a host of other problems. Too many people believe that if chocolate tastes that good, then it has to be bad for you.
However, as the scientific community probes further and further into their chocolate studies, they are finding more and more evidence to prove that chocolate, when consumed wisely, is actually good for you. Remember that pure dark chocolate is most beneficial to your health. Avoid overdoing it with chocolate desserts, milk chocolate and all the other chocolate treats that are not as beneficial as pure dark chocolate.
High quality dark chocolate has a concentration that comes from the best part of the plant and it does not contain all the bad things such as harmful fats. If you drown the chocolate with dairy products, harmful fats and other dilutions, you decrease the health benefits that are otherwise immense.
Dena White is a freelance blogger and covers topics such as how to choose among online degrees in nursing and how to apply for college grants at an online school.