Breaking News - Chocolate is good for you!
Diet busting, calorific, crave-inducing and creamy CHOCOLATE......and now for the good news.
New studies are proving that chocolate does, in fact, have a place in the health-conscious kitchen. Research shows that chocolate with a high cocoa content contains flavonoids, a naturally occurring nutrient found in plant foods like cocoa, tea, wine, nuts, and certain fruits and vegetables. The main flavonoids found in cocoa offer a host of cardiovascular benefits, including antioxidant protection and improved blood vessel function.
In fact, a recent study from the University of Nottingham Medical School suggested that this improved blood flow may also benefit the brain in terms of memory and learning ability. Flavonoids also help prevent the oxidation of bad cholesterol and raise good cholesterol levels in the blood.
There is also some evidence that these flavonoids may prevent certain cancers, such as skin cancer by increasing UV protection, but that doesn't make you invincible. So slather on the sun lotion and snack on a mini-Snickers to give you the best protection.
3-Way Battle – Dark, Milk or White Chocolate?
The winner by a distance is dark chocolate. It contains the most cocoa bean in the form of chocolate liquor and cocoa butter, so it has less sugar and more antioxidants. Milk chocolate is the runner-up with a similar blend to dark chocolate, except with less chocolate liquor and the addition of milk.
Consider white chocolate your reserve team player, and keep it on the bench as much as possible. White chocolate is only cocoa butter mixed with sugar so it offers no potent chocolate antioxidants.
4 Reasons to eat chocolate – like you need them!
To kill that cough
Theobromine, a chemical in chocolate, is as effective at soothing coughs as codeine, a key ingredient in many prescription meds.
To fight cavities
Theobromine may also strengthen teeth better than fluoride, according to Tulane University researchers.
To tame tummy trouble
Cocoa contains potent antioxidants that bind to and inhibit a protein in the intestines that causes diarrhea, say scientists at the Children's Hospital & Research Center Oakland in California. No wonder it has been used as a remedy since the 16th century.
To save face
British scientists found that less than an ounce of flavanol-rich chocolate a day may help protect your skin from the harmful effects of UV rays.
Let’s not forget however, that chocolate is highly calorific and also contains caffeine so, like with most indulgences, moderation is the key – aim for around 1 ounce or 150 calories per day.
