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Health benefits of chocolate
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Dark chocolate
Great news for chocolate lovers, eating a small, 1.6-ounce bar
of dark chocolate every day is good for you. Very good for you,
find Mary Engler, PhD, RN, of the University of California,
San Francisco, and colleagues.
Preliminary research indicates chocolate may offer some health
benefits due to its flavonoid content. Flavonoids contain natural
antioxidants which are anti-clotting and anti-inflammatory.
Flavonoids also help relax the blood vessels which may help lower
blood pressure and promote cardiovascular health.
Why dark chocolate is different
Not all chocolate is created equal. Dark chocolate
contains a lot more cocoa than other forms of chocolate.
Also standard chocolate manufacturing destroys up to half
of the flavoniods. But chocolate companies have now
learned to make dark chocolate that keeps up to 95%
of its flavoniods.
"Many people don't realize that chocolate is plant-derived,
as are the fruits and vegetables recommended for a
healthy heart," Engler says.
While a little dark chocolate is good, a lot is not better.
Chocolate still is loaded with calories. If you're going to
eat more chocolate, you'll have to cut back somewhere else.
And remember that a balanced diet and plenty of exercise is
still the key to heart health.
Dark chocolate here I come.
more information:
http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/200406011dark_chocolate_day_keeps_doctor_away
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