Misconceptions of Dark Chocolate
For many years, the consumption of chocolate has been associated with heart disease, acne, obesity, and diabetes. Indeed sugar and fat contained in many chocolate products can lead to these conditions, but the cocoa components of chocolate have tremendous health benefits. By choosing products like dark chocolate and cocoa powder and taking portion control into consideration, chocolate can become a part of a healthy diet.
Chocolate products are derived from the Theobromu cacao tree. Humans have been exploiting this delicious substance for thousands of years. The use of chocolate first dates back to the Olmec Civilization in Mesoamerica.
1. Neutralizes free radicals. Chocolate is known to contain flavonoids, which act as antioxidants which help neutralize free radicals. Free radicals are accumulated from exposure to smoke, pollution, poison, and fried foods. There is eight times as much antioxidants in chocolate as there are in strawberries.
2. Reduce blood pressure. Flavonoids also produce nitric oxide which helps alleviate hypertension.
3. Balance hormones. Dark chocolate contains plenty of zinc which increases the production of testosterone.
4. Anti-depressant. Serotonin, a neurotransmitter, influences brain cells responsible for "mood, sexual desire and function, appetite, sleep, memory and learning, temperature regulation, and some social behavior". Chocolate increases levels of serotonin which helps balance these the bodily functions listed above.
5. Lowers Low Density Cholesterol: Chocolate can reduce the "bad" cholesterol we accumulate in our bodies by up to 10%. High levels of LDC can lead to plaque build up in the arteries.
6. Pleasure. Endorphin and dopamine production stimulated by chocolate makes us feel happy and gives a feeling of pleasure.
7. Stimulant. Caffeine and theobromine found in chocolate induces temporary improvements in mental and physical abilities
8. 2/3 of the fat in chocolate is good. Chocolate contains 3 main types of fat: oleic acid, stearic acid, and palmitic acid. Oleic acid is a healthy monounsaturated fat like the ones found in olive oil. Stearic acid is a saturated fat, but poses no effect on cholesterol. Palmitic acid is a saturated fat that increases cholesterol and risk for heart disease.
9. Preventing Cognitive Decline. A Harvard Medical study shows that drinking hot chocolate reduced memory decline in the elderly by increase blood flow to working areas of the brain
10. Reducing symptoms of Parkinson's. Chocolate increases dopamine levels which can improve working memory. Increased dopamine can also alleviate the symptoms of depression, ADHD, and Parkinson's.
11. Reduced risk of heart disease. A study published by the British Medical Journal shows that eating chocolate can reduce the risk of heart disease by over 30%. Canadian scientists show that people who consumed chocolate were 22% less likely to experience a stroke. Further experimentation is needed to verify the accuracy of this data.
12. Teens who consume chocolate are slimmer.
13. Help protect against type 2 diabetes. It's those flavonoids again.
When choosing chocolate try to choose dark chocolate (70% or higher) or try to consume cocoa powder more often instead. A square or two of chocolate a day is a reasonable amount to experience the benefits of chocolate without taking in excessive fat or sugar.
Chocolate products are derived from the Theobromu cacao tree. Humans have been exploiting this delicious substance for thousands of years. The use of chocolate first dates back to the Olmec Civilization in Mesoamerica.
1. Neutralizes free radicals. Chocolate is known to contain flavonoids, which act as antioxidants which help neutralize free radicals. Free radicals are accumulated from exposure to smoke, pollution, poison, and fried foods. There is eight times as much antioxidants in chocolate as there are in strawberries.
2. Reduce blood pressure. Flavonoids also produce nitric oxide which helps alleviate hypertension.
3. Balance hormones. Dark chocolate contains plenty of zinc which increases the production of testosterone.
4. Anti-depressant. Serotonin, a neurotransmitter, influences brain cells responsible for "mood, sexual desire and function, appetite, sleep, memory and learning, temperature regulation, and some social behavior". Chocolate increases levels of serotonin which helps balance these the bodily functions listed above.
5. Lowers Low Density Cholesterol: Chocolate can reduce the "bad" cholesterol we accumulate in our bodies by up to 10%. High levels of LDC can lead to plaque build up in the arteries.
6. Pleasure. Endorphin and dopamine production stimulated by chocolate makes us feel happy and gives a feeling of pleasure.
7. Stimulant. Caffeine and theobromine found in chocolate induces temporary improvements in mental and physical abilities
8. 2/3 of the fat in chocolate is good. Chocolate contains 3 main types of fat: oleic acid, stearic acid, and palmitic acid. Oleic acid is a healthy monounsaturated fat like the ones found in olive oil. Stearic acid is a saturated fat, but poses no effect on cholesterol. Palmitic acid is a saturated fat that increases cholesterol and risk for heart disease.
9. Preventing Cognitive Decline. A Harvard Medical study shows that drinking hot chocolate reduced memory decline in the elderly by increase blood flow to working areas of the brain
10. Reducing symptoms of Parkinson's. Chocolate increases dopamine levels which can improve working memory. Increased dopamine can also alleviate the symptoms of depression, ADHD, and Parkinson's.
11. Reduced risk of heart disease. A study published by the British Medical Journal shows that eating chocolate can reduce the risk of heart disease by over 30%. Canadian scientists show that people who consumed chocolate were 22% less likely to experience a stroke. Further experimentation is needed to verify the accuracy of this data.
12. Teens who consume chocolate are slimmer.
13. Help protect against type 2 diabetes. It's those flavonoids again.
When choosing chocolate try to choose dark chocolate (70% or higher) or try to consume cocoa powder more often instead. A square or two of chocolate a day is a reasonable amount to experience the benefits of chocolate without taking in excessive fat or sugar.
Sources
Bouchez, Colette. "Serotonin and Depression: 9 Questions and Answers."WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web. 25 Feb. 2014.
<http://www.webmd.com/depression/features/serotonin>
Stibich, Mark. "Health Benefits of Chocolate." About.com Healthy Aging. N.p., 10 Feb. 2014. Web. 25 Feb. 2014. <
http://longevity.about.com/od/lifelongnutrition/p/chocolate.htm>
"What are the Health Benefits of Chocolate?." Medical News Today. MediLexicon International, 20 Dec. 2013. Web. 24 Feb.
2014. <http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/270272.php>
Bouchez, Colette. "Serotonin and Depression: 9 Questions and Answers."WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web. 25 Feb. 2014.
<http://www.webmd.com/depression/features/serotonin>
Stibich, Mark. "Health Benefits of Chocolate." About.com Healthy Aging. N.p., 10 Feb. 2014. Web. 25 Feb. 2014. <
http://longevity.about.com/od/lifelongnutrition/p/chocolate.htm>
"What are the Health Benefits of Chocolate?." Medical News Today. MediLexicon International, 20 Dec. 2013. Web. 24 Feb.
2014. <http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/270272.php>