THE DEEP, DARK TRUTH OF CHOCOLATE

           Some of the most exciting and interesting health studies expose facts about foods with previously misinterpreted nutritional value. Quite a few recent reports have shown that a few of our guiltiest pleasures actually have solid dietary merit. For breakfast lovers, this meaningful breakthrough came with the disclosure of accurate health benefits in eggs, yoke and all. For alcohol enthusiasts, this finding pertained to the factual advantages of drinking one to two glass of red wine per day. For me personally, and I assume many other sweet-tooth fanatics, this joyous discovery arrived with the truth about chocolate.

Chocolate is derived from a plant, meaning its origins can be traced back to Mother Nature. Over the past couple of years, foods with natural beginnings once thought to be unhealthy, like chocolate, have been analyzed, tested and discussed within modern medicine. According to such studies, high quality chocolate is said to contain vitamins (A, B1, B2, D, and E), large amounts of vegetable proteins, potassium, magnesium and healthy fats.  Additionally, indulging in any sort of mouth-watering treat can stimulate endorphin production, sending pleasure vibes throughout the entire body. Chocolate also contains serotonin, an anti-depressant as well as caffeine and additional stimulants humans avidly intake. All of these are considered benefactors of the confection’s consumption, causing chocolate zealots world wide to give themselves an extra pat on the back.

At the forefront of chocolate’s benefactors, however, is a noteworthy innate component known as a “flavonoid.” Flavonoids are natural elements found in most plants, allowing them to fight environmental toxins and repair structural damages. Upon human ingestion, flavonoids act as “antioxidants,” fending off harmful molecules implicated in heart disease and other serious illnesses, called “free radicals.” Thus, chocolate acts rather powerfully as a preventative measure.

In addition, flavonoids can help reduce and relax blood pressure as well as augment blood flow to the heart and brain. When the body lacks a sufficient amount of antioxidants, it is prone to an increase in LDL cholesterol (aka bad-cholesterol) and/or plaque build-up on the artery walls. Though chocolate does contain fat, only 1/3 of it affects cholesterol negatively. In fact, the sweet is partially composed of oleic acid, known as a “healthy fat” also found in foods like olive oil and avocado. Candidly speaking, all this positive possibility makes chocolate avoidance seem practically sinful.

There appears, however, to be a slight catch, as benefits do not emerge in just about any old candy bar. In fact, only dark chocolate (65% coca and up) is said to be of value. Evidently, mixture with milk interferes with the absorption of antioxidants, indicating that milk chocolate and white chocolate are out of the running. This also means gulping down a glass of cold milk after munching on dark chocolate is out of the question. As for nougat, caramel and other savory fillings, these only add sugar and useless calories to a once powerful piece of candy.

Furthermore, no health scientist will say it’s time to go on a chocolate binge. The key is not to replace healthy foods with chocolate but rather, swap daily sweets with a bit of this dark and ambrosial indulgence. Additionally, chocolate is considered a high calorie food, so in order to avoid weight gain, those calories must be balanced out by eating less of something else. Since chocolate is not recommended in copious amounts, enthusiasts advice others to take time to really savor the taste. These connoisseurs insist that the best way to enjoy the luxury is to allow a piece to melt in ones mouth, releasing its richest and fullest flavor. Chocolate consumption should be more of an experience than a simple, fleeting burst of pleasure.  Candy lovers far and wide can’t help but crack a smile. Clearly, this breakthrough has brought a whole new meaning to the word chocolate.

SOURCES:

http://www.webmd.com/video/truth-about-chocolate

http://my.clevelandclinic.org/heart/prevention/nutrition/chocolate.aspx

http://longevity.about.com/od/lifelongnutrition/p/chocolate.htm