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Friday, 14 January 2011

One of the most pleasant medical findings we've heard in our lifetime is that dark chocolates are actually good for our health. A lot of us love chocolates, so it felt like hitting the jackpot when studies showed its numerous health benefits. Chocolates taste heavenly, especially the dark type that doesn't come too sweet. And it's quite welcome hearing that something you had secretly indulged in turned out to be good, when all the time you were thinking it was bad for you!

Dark chocolates have been observed to carry anti-aging benefits. Research has revealed that it helps slow down the aging process and contributes to mental alertness, helping us all to maintain a healthy body and a youthful mind. The key ingredient responsible for all these is known as flavinoids, which occur naturally in cacao and possess anti-oxidant properties. Cacao is often removed due to its bitter taste, but dark chocolate carries much of it. That explains its distinct flavour that some people find quite pleasurable. For dark chocolate to carry the said health benefits, it has to have cocoa content of at least 70 percent.

Flavinoids have been noted to help reduce blood pressure and regulate bad LDL cholesterol so we can maintain a more robust and youthful heart. Another interesting observation on the benefits of dark chocolate is on its effect on the functions of the brain. It has shown positive results in helping fight memory loss, inducing mental alertness and improving blood flow to the brain. Dark chocolate also stimulates the production of endorphins. Endorphins are responsible for giving us those feel-good moments so we can focus on the positive aspects of life and remain more cheerful and pleasant.

These findings do not give us the green light to overindulge though. For it to remain beneficial, one has to take it in controlled amounts since it is a high-calorie, high-fat food type. Some are also formulated with lots of sugar in the form of caramel and nougat, so we should stay away from these. Opt instead for those that come plain, with orange peel and other fruits and nuts as they can maximize the benefits all the more.








Andrea has written articles on many different aspects of life for more than 3 years and suggests that you might want to check out coupon organizer or perhaps marketing strategies if you are interested!


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