Health Benefits of Chocolate

Is Chocolate Good For Heath

Latley there has been a lot of talk about the health benefits of eating chocolate. New research is talking about the  positive effects of eating chocolate  regarding lowering blood pressure, regulating insulin levels in diabetics, helping pregnant women, dental health, cardiovascular, sleeplessness. 

Healthy chocolate is totally different than the chocolate  you buy at the store.  Dark chocolate is the kind that scientists work with in their studies on health benefits.

Dark chocolate contains flavonoids, which are great for your heart. Flavonoids act as antioxidants to our bodies protecting it against toxins and helps our bodies resist damage.

The health benefits of eating dark chocolate is much higher than that of milk chocolate. This is because dark chocolate contains 70 percent cocao solids which is more than milk chocolate which contains considerably less.  

The antioxidants found in the cacao solids is an important ingredient which helps fight the free radicals that lead to illnesses and heart disease in the body.

Flavonoids fight the free radicals which can come from foods ingested and even the environment. The flavonoids that help protect the immune system are called Catechins and Epicatechins.

For diabetics  eating dark chocolate is a benefit due to the low  sugar content of dark chocolate.  It contains the good cholesterol and fats which do not interfere with insulin production. It is also  a low carbohydrate food, which is another plus for diabetics.

You should be aware that most eating chocolate contains large  amounts of fat and sugar which tends to rule out any health benefits.

Also if you're looking for sources of antioxidants, look to increase your consumption of fruit and veg. Tea is also a great source.  That's not to say you can't have a few squares of chocolate occasionally.

Chocolate can come in very handy if you are out and about and feeling a need for an energy boost. The added fat can also regulate some hormones in the brain and give us a boost of energy.

A small amount of chocolate is great for keeping us happy and healthy but too much can make you fat. 

As to the health benefits of eating chocolate only indulge occassionally.  Who doesn't need to feel a little good every now and then? Keep it to a minimum, and you can feel good and look good.

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