For most Denver residents, changing dietary habits for the sake of good health and fitness becomes a challenge when sugars and sweets have to be cut out. The idea of deprivation becomes a constant struggle that often times ends up in failure. Fortunately, chocolate not only satisfies that sweet tooth, but also provides the health benefits not found in other processed sweets.
The Benefits
According to an article in Women’s Health, the cocoa bean is a fruit that is known to have many health benefits. The antioxidants in this fruit are said to be higher than those in tea and berries.
Benefits include removal of free-radicals, lower blood pressure, decreased risks for heart attacks and strokes, a better immune system, a recovery aid for muscles after working out, and better circulation. Increased circulation aids in better memory and learning abilities.
The Choices
There are three types of chocolate: milk chocolate, white chocolate, and dark chocolate. White chocolate is not true chocolate. The cocoa is replaced with sugars, fillers, and other processed sources. Milk chocolate contains a small percentage of cocoa, however the majority of it is made up of dairy products, sugars, and emulsifiers.
Dark chocolate contains more cocoa than anything else. As long as the bar or candy contains at least 70-80% cocoa, all of the health benefits are there without the added fillers. It’s important to read labels when choosing healthy choices. Look for bittersweet chocolate as opposed to semisweet chocolate. The latter contains more fats and sugars then the former.
There’s no reason to give up sweets entirely when adopting a healthy lifestyle. It’s a matter of choosing sweets that offer health benefits along with a sense of satisfaction.
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