Just to prove chocolate should be a regular part of your diet
Here is the article. Some formatting and pics and stuff may have been lost in translation, sorry.
Nutrition Update: Dark Chocolate
It's Valentines' Day and you see it everywhere...Chocolate! It is so tempting, could just one little bite hurt? Actually, if it is dark chocolate, it could help! Research has shown that eating 2 ounces of dark chocolate (70% cocoa content and higher) a day can be beneficial to your health! In addition, chocolate is known to trigger the release endorphins! So this year, don't feel bad about treating yourself to a little dark chocolate, because you will be treating your mind and body too!
What are some of the benefits of chocolate?
* chocolate triggers the release of endorphins
* a 1.5 oz square of dark chocolate contains as many antioxidants (in the form of flavanoids) as one 5 oz glass of red wine
* the cocoa butter found in chocolate may actually help prevent tooth decay (note that in milk and white chocolates, the high levels of sugar counterbalance this)
* chocolate contains a small amount of caffeine - 8oz of dark chocolate, and 16 oz milk chocolate equal a small cup of coffee, so if you are looking for a little lift...
* chocolate also contains theobromine, a stimulant like caffeine
* Dark chocolate has more antioxidants in it than many fruits and veggies, including prunes, berries, kale, and spinach
* chocolate may help lower the risk of heart disease
* prevent signs of aging due to free radicals
* may help lower blood pressure
* helps to balance hormones
helps to lower cholesterol
* dark chocolate contains phenylethylamine and can increase levels of serotonin in the brain, both of which act as antidepressants
* 1/3 of the fat in dark chocolate is oleic acid, the healthy monounsaturated fat found in olive oil
* 1/3 of the fat in dark chocolate is stearic acid, which while it is saturated, appears to have no negative effect on cholesterol levels
* may reduce the risk of blood clots, stroke, and heart attack
* cocoa beans are rich in several essential mineral including magnesium, iron, calcium, zinc, copper, potassium and manganese
* dark chocolate contains vitamins A, B 1,2, and 3, E, and pantothenic acid
So, eating a little dark chocolate this Valentine's Day could help you! Just make sure to follow these following tips:
* remember that chocolate, while it is rich in antioxidants, is also rich in fat (1/3 of which is palmitic acid - a bad fat) so be sure to balance the calories of chocolate that you consume with exercise and a healthy diet
* milk help prevent the absorption of the antioxidants in chocolate. This means that milk chocolate and drinking milk with dark chocolate negates many of the beneficial effects of dark chocolate.
* make sure to stick to chocolate that contains 65-70% cocoa bean or more.
So, as those heart shaped boxes come your way, keep in mind that eating just a little can actually be good for you!
****Maintaining a diet with a constant variety of healthy foods helps to ensure that you get the vitamins and nutrients your body needs. Please consult your physician before taking any dietary supplements or making major dietary changes.
For more information on chocolate, the history of chocolate, and techniques for chocolate tasting, please visit the links below.
Sources:
www.webmd.com/diet/news/20030827/dark-chocolate-is-healthy-chocolatewww.cacaoweb.net/nutrition.htmllongevity.about.com/od/lifelongnutrition/p/chocolate.htmwhatscookingamerica.net/chocolate.htmwww.chocolatenecessities.com/nutritional_information.phplongevity.about.com/od/lifelongnutrition/ht/taste_chocolate.htm
