Chocolate’s mood-enhancing qualities may be one of the reasons why it is a hot favorite during Valentine’s Day as a gift for lovers and loved ones. Chocolate is one of the world’s favorite foods. Research has shown that eating certain kinds of chocolates in moderate quantities may actually be good for your health. Did you know that chocolate is made from plants, and contains many of the health benefits of dark vegetables? These benefits are from flavonoids, which act as antioxidants.
But, be careful before you start reaching out for a chocolate bar, because not all chocolates are good for your health. It is the dark chocolates which are rich in antioxidants. So, if you want to reap the benefits of eating chocolate, eat the dark variety in small quantities.
By eating a small bar of dark chocolate everyday, you can actually keep your heart in good condition, by reducing your blood pressure and bad cholesterol. Since, traditional roasting and fermentation methods destroy large amounts of the flavonoid content present in the chocolates; Mars, the chocolate manufacturer has developed a proprietary method of processing cocoa beans, aimed specifically at preserving these flavonoids. If you are keen on eating a chocolate prepared by this method, look out for the Cocoapro trademark used by Mars.
Don’t forget that chocolate is high in calories and fat. So, restrict your daily intake to about 100 grams or about 3.5 ounces of dark chocolate.
Now, u needn’t feel guilty any more about eating small amounts of dark chocolate, after all, you are just trying to keep yourself healthy!
via: MedicineNet
