Chocolate-- The Newest Health Food
Below is a MRR and PLR article in category Health Fitness -> subcategory Other.
Chocolate: The Newest Health Food?
Chocolate lovers, rejoice! New research is transforming chocolate's reputation from a guilty pleasure to a potential health food. Those who enjoy occasional chocolate treats can now embrace their cravings without guilt.
The Power of Flavonoids and Antioxidants
Chocolate is rich in flavonoids and antioxidants. These naturally occurring compounds, found in plant foods, offer various health benefits. With over 4,000 types, flavonoids are a subgroup of polyphenols, which help reduce heart disease risk by preventing atherosclerosis. The flavanols in chocolate aid the body’s use of nitric oxide, crucial for maintaining healthy blood flow and blood pressure, potentially reducing hypertension.
While red wine is famed for its phenol content, a typical bar of dark chocolate contains even more. Studies by Cornell and Seoul National Universities revealed that cocoa has nearly twice the antioxidants of red wine and four to five times more than tea.
Chocolate’s Health Benefits
Research from Holland's National Institute of Public Health showed dark chocolate contains 53.5 mg of catechins per 100 grams, powerful antioxidants combating cancer and heart disease. In comparison, black tea has about 14 mg, and green tea around 30 mg of catechins.
A University of California, Davis study found that chocolate consumption reduces platelet activity, giving it an anti-clotting effect similar to aspirin.
A Harvard study involving 8,000 participants showed that those who ate chocolate lived nearly a year longer than those who abstained. People who consumed one to three candy bars monthly had a 36% lower risk of death, while those eating three or more bars weekly saw a 16% reduction.
In the Netherlands, known for its chocolate, a study found that men consuming a third of a chocolate bar daily had lower blood pressure and a 50% lower risk of death. These men weren’t heavier or bigger eaters than those consuming less cocoa.
Beyond Dark Chocolate
While dark chocolate receives much praise, milk chocolate also offers benefits. A study by Wheeling Jesuit University in West Virginia found that milk chocolate boosts brainpower. Participants consuming different types of chocolate showed enhanced cognitive performance, including improved memory, attention, and problem-solving skills.
Dr. Bryan Raudenbush noted that milk chocolate significantly improved verbal and visual memory. Consuming chocolate may stimulate the brain, enhancing mental performance through substances like theobromine and phenylethylamine.
Mood and Skin Benefits
Chocolate makes you feel good by stimulating endorphins, creating sensations similar to a "runner's high." It also contains serotonin, an anti-depressant. Studies in England show that even the scent of chocolate can lift spirits.
Chocolate is also gaining attention in skincare. According to Marlies Spinale, director of Tru Spa, cocoa polyphenols may protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals due to sun, pollution, stress, and other factors.
A Healthier Chocolate Experience
Cocoa butter, a key chocolate ingredient, was once thought unhealthy but is actually beneficial. It contains oleic acid, a heart-healthy monounsaturated fat also found in olive oil, along with healthy saturated fats like stearic and palmitic acids. Chocolate is also rich in vitamins A, B1, C, D, E, potassium, sodium, and iron.
To enjoy chocolate healthily, indulge in moderation. Opt for organic, dark chocolate for higher flavonoid content and less sugar. (Avoid sugar if you're ill, as it can weaken the immune system.) Milk chocolate can offer an occasional brain boost, especially before a test.
Can life get any better than chocolate as a health food?
By Dianne Ronnow, 2006 Mohave Publishing.
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