Chocolate is finally receiving some of the praise it deserves by folks in the medical and nutritional fields these days. But there’s nothing new about the benefits that chocolate brings to the table..
Chocolate was first used by the Olmecs, an ancient native American people (1500 BC-400 BC).
It was treasured by the Mayans and Aztecs, then by the Spaniards, who added sugar and brought it to Europe in the 1500s. Folks (including doctors) back then used it to treat fatigue, restore normal body weight, calm jangled nerves, and improve digestion. It was also cherished as an especially effective aphrodisiac.
The recent studies on chocolate show that it’s chock full of important nutrients that benefit everything from your heart to your mood. But keep in mind that the research touting all these benefits was on premium dark chocolate, not the highly processed, mass produced, cheap, sugary junk you find in most supermarkets and movie theater concession stands.
A lot of chocolate’s benefits are due to the fact that it contains flavonoids, which are powerful antioxidants.
10 health benefits of dark chocolate
So, here are 10 practical reasons to enjoy your chocolate:
#1: High in antioxidants:
Ounce for ounce, it’s one of the richest food sources of these crucial substances. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals-rogue oxygen molecules that promote heart disease and cancer and accelerate aging.
#2: Rich in valuable micronutrients:
Chocolate supplies meaningful amounts of potassium, zinc, magnesium, and iron. Most Americans don’t get enough of these nutrients.
#3: Good for cholesterol:
The fat itself in chocolate is “cholesterol neutral,” meaning that it doesn’t have a negative effect on cholesterol levels. But it has been found to lower bad LDL cholesterol (5-10 percent) while leaving good HDL cholesterol the same.
#4: Lowers blood pressure:
People who ate just over 3 ounces of premium quality dark chocolate each day reduced their blood pressure by as many as 10 points in just two weeks, according to a 2003 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Chocolate helps relax blood vessels so blood can flow through them easier.
#5: Helps prevent clots:
Chocolate makes platelets, important for clot formation, more slippery. This protects the heart by helping prevent artery blockage.
#6: Anti-cancer effect:
The high flavonoid content may have a protective effect against some cancers, based on the more extensive research on flavonoids in tea.
#7: A safe, mild stimulant:
Chocolate actually has relatively little caffeine, but many people notice a quick increase in alertness and improvement in mood that can last hours after eating it.
#8: Calms coughs:
A small study from England showed that chocolate is a highly effective cough suppressant–at least as good as codeine!
#9: Prevents cavities:
Yes, you read it right! High quality dark chocolate can help prevent cavities by fighting common mouth bacteria.
#10: Doesn’t cause acne:
Certainly not in most people. No connection between chocolate and acne has ever been proven.
Does chocolate have a dark side?
As good as it can be for you, too much chocolate could mean you are eating too many calories. A 3.5-ounce bar can tack on 500 or more calories to your daily diet. Of course, that may mean you eat less later in the day, so let’s not be too quick to condemn it. Plus, don’t forget, there’s a big difference between quality calories and junk calories.
Premium dark chocolate actually has little sugar in it, much less than most so-called energy and granola bars, which are mostly expensive junk. Plus, the fat in chocolate slows the sugar’s absorption so it won’t spike your blood sugar.
What about “chocoholics”? Some may be self-medicating for mild depression. But perhaps this isn’t such a bad thing. It’s certainly safer than a lot of prescription antidepressants, and no patient has ever had to be treated for a chocolate overdose.
On the down side, in some sensitive folks chocolate can worsen acid reflux or trigger migraines. If you suffer from either of these problems, you probably already know this.
For most people, we recommend 1 to 2 ounces delicious, high-quality, dark chocolate a few days a week as a healthy treat and pick-me-up. (How’s that for a prescription!)
Combine it with a dollop of natural peanut butter for a smart “peanut butter cup” snack.
You can also make your own cocoa by mixing unsweetened cocoa powder with whole milk. Sweeten to taste with a touch of honey.
Some mass-produced products include chocolate from Ivory Coast plantations, which still rely on child slavery, so we can’t recommend them. But some of ourfavorite brands of chocolate are Del Rey, Dagoba, Scharffen Arter, Rapunzel, Green and Black, and Valrhona. These are either organic or from small plantation sources of known quality.
Chocolate tops the list of antioxidant foods
Chocolate’s health properties are no joke. Check out its ranking on the following list, which shows various foods’ antioxidant activity in oxygen radical absorption capacity units per 100 grams (just over 3 oz).
| Antioxidant Content in Certain Foods |
|---|
| Dark chocolate: 13,120 |
| Milk chocolate: 6,740 |
| Prunes: 5,770 |
| Raisins: 2,830 |
| Blueberries: 2,400 |
| Blackberries: 2,036 |
| Kale: 1,770 |
| Strawberries: 1,540 |
| Spinach: 1,260 |
| Raspberries: 1,220 |
| Brussels sprouts: 980 |
| Plums: 949 |
| Alfalfa sprouts: 930 |
| Broccoli: 890 |
| Oranges: 750 |
| Red grapes: 739 |
| Cherries: 670 |
| Onion: 450 |
| Corn: 405 |
So go ahead and enjoy a couple of ounces of a premium dark chocolate today without an ounce of guilt.
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This is only correct an helpful if you find that does not contain “VANILLIN” a wood based coal tar derived vanilla substitute.
This in addition to the other petroleum and wood based coal tar derived colors, flavors, preservatives and margarine are responsible for all th bipolar manic disorders and the birth defect known as Autism.
Almost all chocolate made in the United States of America contains vanillin. And Vanillin is toxic and causes severe behavioral problems in both adults and children,
Many other products like Ice Cream and most candies also contain Vanllin and artificial colors.
Good Dark chocolates that can be found in the organic section of your favorite grocery store are generally safe and do not contain vanillin.
I ended a 44 yr old bipolar manic disorder when I stopped eating all artificial food additives and margarine.
All artificial food additives are deadly and promote the degradation of your immune system and the development of cancerous growths in our bodies!
You’re correct on that Jorma Takala.
Chocolate can be very toxic for Animals., which can cause seizures . along with some individuals.
Oh, you’re So Right about that Mr. Jorma Takala.
Not only is Chocolate Toxic to Animals, it can also cause seizures and Migraines for certain indivduals too.
Some people have to be very cautious.
I forgot to comment my wife eats this chocolate has a history of migraines, but is not affected by this chocolate and she eats 1 to 2 oz a day also.
My comment on dark chocolate is that it lowered my blood pressure from 135-170/80-90 to a manageable number of 117-121/62-72. I still take blood pressure medicine and the doctor lowered it from 20 mg to 10mg and I suppose he will either take it away of lower it to 5mg. I have eaten about 1 or 2 oz per day for about two weeks. The chocolate I get is XOCAI it is a cold process so it doesn’t loose any of its antioxidants. The beneifits have been great I don’t crave sweets, if I eat one at night I sleep restful and wake at 6:30 instead of 9:00 AM. If you want more information on the chocolate contact zacherymike@yahoo.com
chocolate contains high level of uric acid,much higher then any meats etc.,causing gout.
It’s not the chocolate that is toxic to humans and it does not cause migraine headaches.
Chocolate = good!
If the chocolate contains Vanillin, will it cause migraines.
Chocolate, good chocolate that is not using wood based coal tar flavorings is bad.
Chocolate made with vanilla (natural) is very good and the anti- oxidants can help fight the cancer caused by our consumption of coal tar food additives.
Coal tar is a known free radical!
Free Radicals cause necrosis, aka the death of healthy cells.
Chocolate can help prevent those cells from causing further damage to other healthy cells.
Helping to prevent cancer and the damage caused by consuming carcinogens.
I feel there is no cure for cancer, and the only way to prevent cancer is to remove what causes it.
100 years of DNA damage in America, Since the FDA approved the 7 azo dyes for human consumption in 1906. And 1938.
I sent The story of how I discovered the cause of Autism to Yale and Johns Hopkins Autism research departments.
When I spoke to them, they sounded excited.
I’m still waiting for my article to be approved, nobody has contacted me and it has not been approved yet.
WHY???
I’ve read on Consumer Lab that most of the chocolate they tested did some troubling levels of cadmium and lead, I still eat some some every day ( less than I used to ) but I stick to brands with the lowest amounts in their tests. Since this is a food good for you and a treat I hope companies will figure out how to lower those levels.