Article by Joseph Graham

It seems that we all love chocolate and for good reason. Not only does it taste great but it has also been shown to have many health benefits. It is not often that something we can eat that actually tastes good is also good for our health. So if you love your chocolate, read on and I will explain some of the reasons that you should indulge in chocolate.

Now, let me start off by saying that you should not sit in front of the television all day and eat 5 pounds of chocolate. You still need to show restraint and consume moderate amounts of chocolate.

Dark chocolate has been shown to be especially healthy so the darker the chocolate the better. The reason chocolate has been show to be healthy is that it contains antioxidants. These antioxidants have been proven to strenghten our immune systems by combating free radicals in our body. Free radicals are responsible for many auto immune diseases and for promoting inflammation in the body. By eating chocolate, we can combat these free radicals and keep our body in balance.

Chocolate has also been shown to have an anti-aging effect as well as control heart disease. If all of these things are not enough, chocolate has also been shown to have a positive effect on cancer. The process of carcinogenesis is what causes cancer to form in the body and by eating dark chocolate, you are getting flavonoids which control carcinogens in our bodies. Anything that can lower the risk of cancer is a positive in my world.

Chocolate continues to get plenty of attention in the media – both good and bad. It seems now though that the news is becoming increasingly positive and people do not need to fear eating some chocolate occassionally. Of course if you are allergic to chocolate or do not tolerate it well than none of this applies. So if you tolerate chocolate well, go ahead and indulge in some now and then and know that you are also doing something positive for your health.

Article by Christian

Chocolate has a new reputation – that of a healthy indulgence. But before all the chocoholics out there raise their hopes, not all chocolates are healthy. It is only the intensely flavored dark chocolate that studies have shown have healthy benefits. There is evidence that it is as rich in protective antioxidants as grapes or green tea.

All chocolates are made from the seeds of the cacao tree. These seeds are called cocoa beans and they are exceptionally abundant in the natural antioxidant elements called flavonoids. Flavonoids are known to have properties that protect against coronary heart disease.

Since processing destroys many of the flavonoids, other kinds of chocolate have been depleted of the potential benefits of cocoa beans. Still having high cocoa content, it is only in dark chocolate health benefits are present. Forget the highly processed milk chocolate and white chocolate varieties.

Dark Chocolate for Healthy Living

Studies suggest eating small quantities is good nutrition.

It is also healthy for the heart. It keeps the arteries flexible allowing for blood to flow freely and enhance the performance of the cardiovascular system. This is achieved by improving the functioning of the endothelial lining of the blood vessels. Limited studies have also shown that dark chocolate may potentially reduce damage caused by strokes.

Eating small doses have also been revealed to reduce hypertension. In a study of hypertensive people aged between 55 and 64 who had their diets supplemented with small amounts of dark chocolate daily for two weeks experienced a drop in both their systolic and diastolic blood pressures. After taking out the chocolate from the diets, their blood pressure readings immediately went back to their previous level.

Another of the dark chocolate health benefits is a better cholesterol profile. The same flavonoids in cocoa beans that are also found in red wine, increase HDL (good) cholesterol while lowering the LDL (bad) cholesterol. Dark chocolate also has oleic acid, one of the primary fatty acids also found in olive oil, which improves total cholesterol levels.

Cocoa is also known as a powerful source of the chemicals serotonin, dopamine and phenylethylamine. These chemicals have been proven to alleviate depression and are responsible for feelings of happiness and well-being.

Dark chocolate heath benefits are not an excuse to indiscriminately indulging a sweet tooth especially when aiming for weight loss. Chocolate is still a high calorie food.

Always choose dark chocolates with at least 70% cocoa content. Chocolate should not be eaten with milk as the latter prevents the antioxidants from being absorbed by the body.

For a truly healthy life, eat a well balanced diet with lots of fruits and vegetables, get regular exercise, get enough sleep, keep stress levels to a minimum and drink lots of water. And once in a while, for dessert or just because you like it. There is no need to feel guilty.

Article by Caitlina Fuller

We have known for a long time that you have to cut back on sweets if you want to lose weight, maintain a healthy heart and live as long as possible. Right? However, new evidence shows otherwise, at least where dark chocolates are concerned. It seems that high blood pressure and even heart disease may be helped by dark chocolate rather than exacerbated by it.

When reading this information don’t let it go to your head too much. Yes, dark chocolates have been shown to be beneficial. But that doesn’t mean you should eat too much of it or that you have free reign over white chocolate or even milk chocolate. It’s dark chocolates we are talking about here.

In several studies dark chocolate has lowered high blood pressure in many participants. That is great news and while chocolate is enjoyable to eat it is also a lot healthier than prescription drugs. Remember, though, that you can’t just eat all the chocolate you want. You can eat some and if you have mild high blood pressure and are of a certain age then the dark chocolate will more than likely help you. But, you must balance your caloric intake and know that if you are eating dark chocolate that you will need to cut calories elsewhere.

Believe it or not, but dark chocolate also has antioxidants. However, you must eat it alone. Don’t accompany the dark chocolate with a big glass of milk or else you will eliminate the antioxidant effect. Antioxidants are great because they attack and eliminate free radicals, the culprits of many diseases including heart disease.A study with 13 individuals ages 55-64 who had mild high blood pressure took part in a study. Half were given a 100 gram dark chocolate candy bar and the other half a 100 gram white chocolate candy bar. They had to eliminate 480 other calories from their diet to make up for eating the chocolate. Over the course of the two week study the individuals who ate the dark chocolate saw a significant drop in their blood pressure. In fact, the average was five systolic points and two diastolic points. The individuals who ate white chocolate did not see the same results. Another study used the same amount of people but in the 25-35 age range. They ate 100 grams of dark chocolate one day, 100 grams of dark chocolate with a small glass of milk another day, and finally 200 grams of milk chocolate. The study found that eating dark chocolate by itself results in the most total antioxidants in the blood. Many of us prefer milk chocolate to dark chocolate because it is smoother, sweeter and not as bitter. But, it is dark chocolate that makes the health difference and it is still sweet and good. So, why is dark chocolate the answer? It’s because it contains cocoa phenols, which lower blood pressure. If you want to try this remedy then cut out bad things in your diet like colas, carnival foods, and the like to make up for the 500 plus calories in a bar of chocolate. Then you can have your chocolate and enjoy the cardiovascular benefits! Remember to take good care of your teeth as well when eating all that chocolate because tooth health has a direct connection to cardiovascular health. Now, go buy you some dark chocolate.

It may be possible to take some of the guilt out of enjoying one of your favourite foods because guess what, chocolate does have some healthy perks! Careful now, that doesn’t mean you should add a chocolate bar a day to your diet, but eating the right types of chocolate in moderation can be a guilt-free pleasure that helps prevent disease.

Eating the Right Kinds of Chocolate

A lot of the typical chocolate bars sitting next to the gum and newspapers in your local convenience store aren’t the going to meet the healthy chocolate standards. Milk and white chocolate has quite a bit of sugar, fat, and extra additives that give chocolate its “bad for you” reputation. Eating the pure dark chocolate with over 70% cocoa is the right way to benefit from indulging your chocolate craving. Organic dark chocolate is also an option if you want an even healthier approach to chocolate.

Where These Benefits Come From

Dark chocolate is loaded with antioxidants that come from the flavinoids found in pure cocoa. These antioxidants help to prevent cancer, heart disease, and a number of other illnesses. You’ll also be absorbing vitamins and minerals such as iron, magnesium, and vitamin B from eating dark chocolate. While dairy can inhibit the effects of antioxidants, dark chocolate is made with little or no dairy and can be enjoyed by those with dairy allergies or sensitivities.

Good for Your Heart and Body

The nutrients found in dark chocolate can promote a healthy heart and lessen your risk for disease. Because these nutrients can keep blood vessels flexible and reduce blood pressure the risk of stoke and heart attack is lower. Eating dark chocolate can also go so far as to help reduce cholesterol and keep joints lubricated.

Good for Your Mind

As most people would agree, eating chocolate has an undeniable therapeutic aspect. The endorphins chocolate releases in the body cause a pleasurable feeling that can act as an anti-depressant. The heightened mood that comes with a chunk or two of chocolate can go a long way to combating the effects of stress.

Lower in sugar and carbohydrates that lighter chocolate, dark chocolate can make an excellent sweet treat for diabetics or anyone else on a low-carb diet. However, for all chocolate lovers alike, moderation is the key to getting the most out of the benefits chocolate has to offer.