Health benefits of chocolate

Sales of dark chocolate have been exploding, with sales up 49% from 2003 to 2006. With the increasing awareness of the its health benefits, chocolate is being seen as a guilt-free indulgence. One of the richest sources of heart-healthy antioxidant compounds called flavonoids, chocolate actually contains higher concentrations of the principle flavonoids found in red wine and green tea.

Chocolate’s flavonoids boost antioxidant levels in your blood preventing LDL, or bad cholesterol, from forming heart disease causing plaques. Similar to aspirin, chocolate also helps prevent clot formation which may help keep your arteries open and patent. Interestingly, when the flavonoids are removed chocolate loses it’s heart-healthy benefits. In studies, white chocolate, which lacks flavonoids demonstrates no blood pressure lowering effects while dark chocolate does. Note that the milk found in milk chocolate, was also found to block absorption of these beneficial flavonoids.

To maximize the health benefits of your chocolate, choose flavonoid-rich dark chocolate containing at least 70% cocoa. While the initial studies on chocolate are promising remember that chocolate contains a lot of calories so indulge moderately.

(No Ratings Yet)

 Loading ...

Related posts

• No related posts.