Some food is so much passion as chocolate. From time to time, chocolate lovers can show that the notion to abandon it, even if it means to be healthy, can often be the question. Fortunately, this is one case where you can have your chocolate and eat it, because study after study has confirmed that chocolate is actually good for you.
However, not all chocolates are created equal. Only dark chocolate healthier than milk chocolate, not white chocolate, but not any combination in between.
Why is Dark Chocolate Healthy
Chocolate is made from cocoa beans (cocoa), which comes from plants. This means that it contains many health benefits dark vegetables. Cocoa contains flavonoids, which are the natural environment of compounds found in plants. Flavonoids act as antioxidants, helping the body cells resist damage caused by free radicals, which are formed normal metabolism, immune system, and environmental factors such as pollution, radiation, cigarette smoke and herbicides.
There is evidence that eating dark chocolate can:
* Reduction in blood pressure in people with high blood pressure.
(Bad) * low levels of LDL cholesterol to 10%.
* Stimulate the production of endorphins, which gives a feeling of pleasure.
* To act as an antidepressant, because it contains serotonin, the neurotransmitter that affects our mood among its many other functions.
* Act as a Pick-Me-Up as it contains stimulants, like theobromine and caffeine.
How to choose a healthy chocolate
2009 new study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry compared the antioxidant content of cocoa commercially available chocolate and cocoa-containing products sold in the United States.
The study concluded that foods with high levels of antioxidants, were (in descending order):
1. Unsweetened, unprocessed cocoa powder
2. Unsweetened baking chocolate
3. Dark chocolate
4. Semi-sweet chocolate chips
5. Milk chocolate
6. Chocolate syrup
The study showed that the health benefits of chocolate are derived mainly from the antioxidants found in cocoa. Is therefore not surprising that pure cocoa powder ranks number one when it comes to health.
In addition, more (eg, during fermentation, alkalizing, roasting), cocoa beans, the lower the antioxidant left in the final product. A typical commercial cocoa processed with alkali to produce a dark, rich flavor. This process can reduce the content of flavonoids by as much as 50 percent.
* So, if you want a healthy cup of hot cocoa, choose raw, Non-alkaline, cocoa powder (not Dutch-processed cocoa) and add your own sugar and milk.
* When buying a dark chocolate, to find high quality, which has been minimally processed. Chocolate should not contain nasty ingredients such as soybean oil, high fructose corn syrup, or artificial flavors.
* Be cautious type of dark chocolate you choose. Avoid stuffed with caramel, nougat or marshmallow, which are only extra sugar and fat.
* Avoid milk chocolate, because it contains very little antioxidant-rich cocoa. The study also shows that the milk protein in chocolate may be associated with antioxidants and make them less easily digested. Therefore, to obtain the maximum benefit of the antioxidant, did not wash your cup of chocolate milk.
* Avoid white chocolate contains no cocoa. White chocolate only the fat and sugar.
Who should avoid eating chocolate
Despite all the positive studies, it is not a license to consume as much dark chocolate as you like. If you struggle with any serious illnesses such as diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure or cancer, you should refrain from eating chocolate, as most chocolate contains sugar and sugar suppresses the immune system.
If you have acne or acne of any type of skin eruptions, chocolate is likely to aggravate the skin condition.
If you suffer from migraines, the chemicals in chocolate can cause headaches.
If you have an irresistible craving chocolate, you probably do not eat the right balance of proteins, fats and carbohydrates for metabolic type. After the name of this imbalance, you will see that your desire to have a sweet drop significantly.
If you are inclined to seek solace in chocolate, when you’re upset, angry, bored, lonely or depressed, you have unresolved emotional problems that need to be addressed. If you have a hard time coping with them, you need to reach out for professional help instead.
Bottom Line
There is no denying that chocolate contains flavonoids with powerful antioxidant effect. While chocolate may be the preferred choice of treatment is not recommended to do. Chocolate is a perfect example of when less is more. The researchers found that about a quarter ounce of dark chocolate a day are ideal to protect against inflammation and heart disease.
Keep in mind that your best choice of cheese and cocoa (cocoa beans) or unprocessed cocoa powder, then dark chocolate. If you choose for the majority of commercial, highly processed chocolate, do not expect to be healthy.
Finally, although the chocolate derived from plants and rich in antioxidants, it is not a substitute for vegetables that are loaded with other useful substances such as vitamins, minerals and fiber. In addition, chocolate contains sugar and fat and calories is much more dense than in vegetables.