10 Quick Reasons to Love Chocolate
Many people may not know it, but there are actually numerous health benefits of chocolate. The real, unadulterated form of chocolate, derived from the Theobroma cacao tree, is a heaven-sent super food that can keep us healthy even as we indulge in its delectable taste. Many overly processed chocolates are full of refined sugar and saturated fatty acids, but the real stuff is packed full of plant derived flavanols, full of antioxidants, anti-inflammatory constituents and health-boosting ingredients that do all sorts of amazing things for our bodies and minds.
Take for example, the following 10 benefits to heart:
- In a 9-year study conducted by the Swedes, it was found that people who consumed chocolate just 1 to 3 times per month had a 26% lower risk of developing heart failure. If you normally give your sweetheart chocolate, consider making it dark chocolate to provide an extra bit of love to the heart muscle.
- A meta-analysis published recently in Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews found that those who consume chocolate experience a reduction in blood pressure.
- Chocolate increases communication between opiate receptors in the brain as well as supports the production of dopamine, two hormones that increase happiness and contribute to feelings of elation.
- Real chocolate, or cocoa, is associated with decreased low-density lipoprotein levels and increased high-density lipoprotein levels. These are important for carrying cholesterol to the liver.
- Chocolate has more than 300 identifiable chemical compounds that can provide amazing health benefits for the whole body.
- Eating chocolate releases the same hormones that our bodies make when we are in love: Phenylethylamine (PEAs).
- Raw cacao contains N-acylethanolamines that are believed to temporarily increase the levels of anandamide in the brain and enzyme inhibitors that slow its breakdown. This means we feel more relaxed when we eat chocolate.
- Eating chocolate increases our endorphins, the body’s natural pain killers.
- Raw cacao consumption can help with weight loss as it eradicates sweet cravings. The abundance of antioxidants can also help keep our metabolism running smoothly. An article in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry says you can enjoy cacao several times a week to boost weight loss.
- Cacao can be enjoyed in raw form as a powder, as cacao nibs, or as a dark chocolate bar minus the refined sugar and unhealthy fats. You can mix a little cacao with honey and cinnamon over low heat on the stove for a delicious sweet treat, with the combined health benefits of all three foods for a vitamin-packed dessert.
Unfortunately this doesnt mention the side effects of Cocoa, Melatonin disruption, children, breast feeding mothers, caffeine addiction, an isolated supplement not a food, in a couple of small areas of the world, now consumed world wide with other sweet stimulants..
Thyeobromide, that kills animals when you give them this ''food'',
Liver damage due to the Alkaloids, that need to be broken down, causing immune disfunction, as well as the ''highs'', that people get, including children, that cause adrenal stress, and continual non chewing, making it a very heavy burden on digestion..
All in all totally unsuitable for people of a western diet, due to constant stimulation from other stimulants, and definatley totally innapropriate for nursing mothers and children..
All in all, a poor researched, processed isolated snack, that was used by traditional cultures in a traditional way living a pollution free diet, with no Sugar and refined foods..completely different to the ''modern'' western ''diet''
Pete Melov, BU Organics
Nice article. Chocolate, with at least a 70% cocoa content, without all of the added sugar, used in moderation, is a definite health food with multiple benefits. Sounds like Pete could use some to elevate his crabby mood.
I smell an anti alternative medicine, big pharma supporting sheeple in here. I am sensitive to caffeine and can consume a decent amount of 90% dark chocolate without feeling what I would feel from an ounce of regular coffee, so those caffeine warnings are overblown and unsubstantiated. Dark chocolate generally contains less sugar than Milk chocolate, which to me is not really chocolate, though I do occasionally like it in certain forms, and I am one to avoid consuming much sugar and refined carbohydrates in general. I'm much more concerned with people's livers being damaged by the medical industry and the use of tylenol, as well as other symptom treating poisons that give you 10 other problems to the one you took it for in the first place.
Boy-oh Boy are you Right!! Who on God's earth could post nasty about CHOCOLATE? Actually, it makes me laugh it's so rediculous! Probably his situation requires a bit more than Chocolate! but for you and me…Happy chocolate,honey!!"
If chocolate is such a good thing for human body, why is it very dangerous for our pets? does not make sense to me?
Excellent question §:-)
1) Chocolate is cocoa that is transformed into a candy
2) Gut flora….Hydrolic potencial …Body temperature are not the same in a dog It will make thier liver swell and bleed
3) Melatonin disruption is due to the fact that most processed chocolates contain letchin of soja ..(a residue extracted from GM soy containing containing large concentrations of glycophosephates and neuro toxins ) used as an emulifier
4) The use of the word "chocolate" is mis leading …
….
Ummmmm chocolate
My favorite dark naturaly sweet dark chocolate comes from Colombia §:')
Gee, alternative people sure act like conservatives, sometimes, please address the questions raised, and insults are for playgrounds..its so ridiculous that when peoples realities are confronted, they insult instead of answering the questions in an adult way..as usual I will have to state the questions …agaaain, because insults and giggles where preferred than mature reasoning..and observations..
Please explain why a small isolated ceremonial food is now worldwide and used in its non traditional way[processed and hybridised]
please explain why nursing mothers and pregnant women complain about restless sleep, and this is not recommended in ”normal” amounts.?
Please explain what caffiene, even in micro amounts does to fetuses?
Please explain what Theobromine in Micro amounts does to fetuses[less that 1 cm]..?
Please explain what honey and other sweetners do to insulin recepters in the Liver, gallbladder and Pancreas.?..what does fructose mixed with these compound do to these organs?
Please explain why this ”food” has to be sweetened to such an extent that it completely changes the flavour, bitter and.. toxic.. almost as the bean, [actually used that way by the tree], to semi sweet and really sweet as the processed final product, not a food..not even in a food group..
Please explain why this product, is not able to be consumed in a powder mixed with water, as all the so called ”super foods ” are?
Please explain why everyone who eats chocolate on a regular basis suffers from highs and lows, directly the same as coffee drinkers..
Please explain as with coffee drinkers, that with the caffiene taken out of cocoa, no one wants to drink it, or eat it?
I could go on and on and on, but I think we as a species should let go of ALL addictive stimulants, where and when they affect developmental process of the young, ang nursing or pregnant women, especially as they are not a food[cannot be mixed with water and drunk], have high levels of ecstasy related compounds,effect Liver, pancreas, and the digestive system, causing addictive reactions and come from a tiny region originally used in ceremonial aspects..
Hope to have some answers to my questions, and a healthy to and fro, so we all learn and progress forward, instead of backwards, we have already been, there, its boring..pete melov, no addictive substances whatsoever, and non religious., and owner, and cook of whole foods that dont endanger young lives…suv2bondibeach instagram, to see what I cook and prepare..for everyone..
Are all true?????
#11
Chocolate milk!