The Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate
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Who would have thought that eating chocolate could be good for you? It's true! Recent studies have shown that dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants and can help to lower blood pressure and keep your heart healthy. There are also several recent studies that indicate that the antioxidants present in dark chocolate could help get rid of free radicals that cause premature aging.
Just what is it about dark chocolate that gives it its great health benefits? The answer lies in the flavonoids it contains. Flavonoids are a group of substances found in plants and plant based foods that have been shown to have antioxidant effects. It's still a bit unclear as to whether it is the flavonoids themselves that help our bodies or if it is our bodies' reponse to the flavonoids that is benefitial to our health, but either way studies have shown that dark chocolate can lower blood pressure and promote a healthy heart. Now that's a pill that's easy to swallow!
Why is Dark Chocolate Different?
Dark chocolate contains a lot more cocoa and goes through less manufacturing than other kinds of chocolates. The manufacturing process destroys up to half of the flavonoids in chocolate. Additionally, some studies have shown that the addition of milk to milk chocolate destroys pretty much any health benefit of the chocolate. This means that because dark chocolate undergoes way less processing it has a much higher concentration of flavonoids than other types of chocolate. In fact, dark chocolate has more flavonoids than any other food including green tea, red wine, black tea and blueberries.
While it may seem strange that chocolate could actually be good for you, it makes sense when you consider that chocolate is actually plant derived, as like fruits and vegetables that are also recommended for a healthy heart. However, don't replace your apple a day with chocolate just yet. While dark chocolate is good for you in small doses, it is very high calorie and can lead to weight problems if you don't watch your intake. The best option is to replace your current "treats" that you eat with dark chocolate and continuing eating fruits, vegetables and a healthly balanced diet. A balanced diet and plenty of exercise are still and always will be the best way to a healthy heart.