I am most definitely a “chocaholic.” I love chocolate, preferably dark chocolate. Fortunately, if I abide by the “Everything in
moderation” tactic, I can enjoy chocolate, because it has antioxidants, which
protect the body from the effects of free radicals. Free radicals can contribute to heart
disease. It makes sense, because
chocolate comes from a plant, and many dark colored fruits and vegetables contain
antioxidants.
Studies have proven that only dark chocolate provides health
benefits. Milk and white chocolate do
not qualify. Dark chocolate contains eight
times as many antioxidants as strawberries!
It is good for your heart and can help keep your cardiovascular system
running well. Studies have shown that
eating a small piece of chocolate daily may even lower blood pressure. It can also reduce LDL cholesterol (the bad
kind) by as much as 10%. Some studies
suggest chocolate may reduce the risk of stroke as well.
Dark chocolate stimulates the production of endorphins,
providing a feeling of pleasure. It
contains serotonin as well, which can act as an anti-depressant, and
theobromine and caffeine, both of which are stimulants, giving us a “pick-me-up.”
Let’s face it, even with all these health benefits, chocolate is
high in calories. Remember I mentioned “moderation?” If you maintain self-control, you will enjoy
the benefits of oleic acid, the same fat contained in olive oil. But there again, even “good fat” contains high
calories. Saturated fat, the unhealthiest,
is also in chocolate, which can increase the risk of heart disease and raise
cholesterol.
Most studies that have been done on chocolate are based on about
3½ ounces of dark chocolate daily. A
dark chocolate bar has about 400 calories. If you eat ½ a bar every day, you’re
consuming 200 calories that should be replacing 200 calories from the remainder
of your daily consumption. If you add
those 200 calories to your diet without cutting anywhere else, no matter how
many health benefits there are, you will still gain weight.
When selecting your dark chocolate, look for pure
chocolate. If your chocolate has nuts,
nougat, caramel or other fillings, both calories and fat are added, erasing
many of the benefits chocolate can provide.
Some research has also shown that drinking a glass of milk with your
chocolate may even prevent the antioxidants from being absorbed or used by your
body, again negating the benefits.
For quite some time, before learning about the benefits of
chocolate, I have been eating one or two bite-size dark chocolates nearly every
day. I get my chocolate “fix” and the health
benefits, and I don’t gain weight. Ah,
sweet chocolate.
**************
Julie
Klein, Chocaholic and
Leader of Xpress Healthcare's Winner's Circle Team
Leader of Xpress Healthcare's Winner's Circle Team
