There is a lot of scientific evidence that shows that the right kind of chocolate is not only safe, but can also help you stay healthy and live longer.
Is chocolate healthy? How is that possible? After all, we've been taught that chocolate is, at best, a guilty pleasure and, at worst, bad for our health. But there is a lot of scientific evidence to show that chocolate is not only safe, but that it can also be good for your health and help you live longer.
There are different kinds of chocolate.
That doesn't mean that all chocolate is the same. You're not too far off if you think that the sugary treats you can buy in candy stores and grocery stores are just empty calories. Chocolate candies often have refined sugars, milk fats, and hydrogenated oils, all of which are things you should try to stay away from.
But these unhealthy ingredients hide the fact that dark chocolate is full of antioxidants, flavonoids, and amino acids that are good for your health. Unprocessed cocoa has flavonoids that have been shown to be good for heart health and antioxidants that can slow down the ageing process and cell death. Some of these cardiovascular benefits are that blood flow is improved, LDL cholesterol is lowered, and blood pressure is lowered. Dark chocolate also has alkaloids like theobromine and phenethylamine and essential amino acids like tryptophan, all of which can help regulate and improve mood.
The newest healthy chocolate trends
As the idea of healthy chocolate grows, companies are making products that combine the best parts of chocolate with the best parts of other foods. The mixture makes a powerful burst of health benefits, plus the satisfaction that comes from eating chocolate.
What's the difference between healthy chocolate and the kind that comes in candy bar wrappers? First, it doesn't have any sugar, milk fats, or oils that have been hydrogenated. Second, it has not gone through the Dutch process, in which an alkali is added to almost completely destroy the antioxidants. Instead, it is cold-pressed to keep all of the nutrients and antioxidants. Third, it is often mixed with Acai berries and blueberries to boost its antioxidant properties. In some products, one small nugget has the same amount of antioxidants as half a pound of spinach or three-quarters of a pound of broccoli. Fourth, there are no trans fats, wax, or fillers in the dark chocolate.
Healthy chocolate can help you lose weight
Unquestionably, it doesn't make sense to think of chocolate as a key part of a plan to lose weight. But healthy chocolate that doesn't have any extra ingredients, sugar, or milk fat can help you lose weight. If you eat a nugget with a glass of water about half an hour before a meal, it can stop your hunger and satisfy your craving for chocolate. You'll eat less at meals and get more vitamins and minerals at the same time. In the same way, a nugget is a healthier snack than foods with more calories.
In the end, if you eat healthy chocolate, you don't have to feel the least bit guilty about it. What a blessing and a relief!
