It’s the love affair that’s hooked us for life! This $7 billion per year US chocolate industry shows just how much we love our chocolate. In America, each of us eats about 10 pounds per year, but this is actually low compared to much of the world. The Swiss, renowned for their chocolates, eat nearly 20 pounds per person per year!
So as you’re savoring each mouth-watering, deliciously sweet, rich, creamy, dreamy bite, use these research-based “justifications” to keep on enjoying more of the yumminess!
Dark chocolate has some very important health benefits. Cocoa’s nutrient content might explain why it was used as a “treatment for many ailments” as far back as the 17th-19th centuries, and why it’s been such a focus of research. The Journal of the American College of Cardiology deemed the findings “to be one of the major advancements in cardiovascular research.” Cocoa is rich in polyphenols, or “phytonutrients.” Science continues to unravel these hidden, plant “miracle-workers,” that serve as potent antioxidants, protecting our cells from damage. The reviews of the findings of these studies show polyphenols in chocolate may help to:
—improve blood flow, keeping vessels healthy and “elastic”
—keep blood from becoming “too sticky”
—fight atherosclerosis by preventing plaque build-up on vessel walls
—raise HDL (good cholesterol) and lower LDL (bad cholesterol)
—lower blood pressure
—reduce risk of strokes
—improve insulin sensitivity and lower insulin resistance (fighting diabetes)
—reduce inflammation
—slow the aging process
—lower stress in pregnant moms (interestingly, babies of these chocolate-eating moms smiled more, had better temperaments and were more active than those of non-chocolate-eaters at 6 months)
—increase blood flow to the brain
—improve cognitive function (especially related to memory, alertness, multi-tasking and reaction times)
—supply a great source of iron (67% RDA in just a 100g bar) and other minerals
—release “feel-good” endorphins in the brain, similar to the “falling in love” feeing
—burn belly fat
—trigger relaxation, just from smelling it’s fabulous aroma
and women, for one final “justification”…
—improve appearance and health of the skin
Yes, no break-ups required! The chocolate love affair is here to stay! So, be sure to get your daily dose of love and antioxidants. For the most benefits, be sure to choose non-alkali (or non-dutched, as this processing destroys the antioxidants) and naturally sweetened varieties of cocoa, cocoa nibs and pure, dark chocolate.
Be sure to pass on the chocolate love…