The Surprising Health Benefits of Chocolate
By kayus, 28th Nov 2012 | Follow this author
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Posted in WikinutHealthDiet & Nutrition
I had thought chocolate was bad for my health and i stopped eating it. It was until my latest discovery that I realized that chocolate is good for the body and one's overall health.
Introduction
Almost everybody likes chocolate. I can never deny the fact that I do like eating chocolate but my fears was its implication on my health.When I was a child, my favorite was the dark chocolate and I could remember my mummy used to tell me to watch the rate at which I eat chocolate.
Since then,especially when I became an adult and matured, though I like chocolate but I decided to stop eating it altogether. This is because of the many things I had been told about it causing obesity,heart diseases and diabetes.
Just yesterday, I decided to do a research about if there is anything to gain from eating chocolate. I did and I was surprised at the information I got. It then dawn on me that all my fears was based on hearsay and assumptions. It is healthy to eat chocolate and I am happy I discovered this.
Below are the health benefits of chocolate:
Health Benefits of Eating Chocolate
Chocolate decreases stroke risk
A study done by the Swedish Doctors in 2011 discovered that women that eat more than 45 grams of chocolate a week had a 20% lower risk of stroke than women who ate fewer than 9 grams.
Chocolate Boosts Heart Health
For those who eat chocolate regularly,this do help their heart in many ways. It lowers their blood pressure,lower LDL cholesterol which is bad fat and lower the risk of heart disease.
Dark chocolate is particularly healthy because it fights inflammation and reduce cardiovascular risk.
Chocolate fills you Up
Chocolate is rich in fiber and dark chocolate can get you fill up quickly.So you should eat less of it. Dr Katz said that from discovery regular chocolate eaters will have a healthy life if they do take a bite instead of snacking.
Chocolate may Fight Diabetes
Italian study in 2005 found out that regular chocolate eaters increases insulin sensitivity,thereby reducing the risk of diabetes.
Chocolate protects your Skin
Dark chocolate is really good for skin.It has an antioxidant called flavonoids that help to protect from ultraviolet damage from the sun.But that does not mean you should have sunscreen on.
Chocolate Can Quiet Coughs
There is an ingredient in chocolate known as theobromine that seems to reduce the activity of vagus nerve,this is the part of the brain that causes hard to shake coughs.
Chocolate Boost Your Mood
It is cool if you do indulge your sweet tooth once in a while.Dr.Patricia of Healthy Living Wellness says enjoying food is part of enjoying life. So, if you eat chocolate you can feel less stressed.
It Improves Blood Flow
The key ingredient in making chocolate has an anti clotting,blood thinning properties that work like aspirin does.This can improve blood flow and circulation as well.
Chocolate Improves Vision
Since chocolate improves blood flow, especially to the brain, researchers at the University of Reading in a 2011 study says that chocolate may also increase blood flow to the retina,thus enhancing your vision.
Chocolate May Make You Smarter
The boost of blood flow to the brain due to the cocoa's flavanols seems to make chocolate eaters feel more awake and alert.
Watch Out!
In spite of these amazing healthy benefits of munching yummy chocolate, I need to tell you that you have to take a few bars of chocolate at a time. One or two bars is okay for a period of let say, two days.
If you think because it has some nutritive advantage and you take to eating as much as you desired, then you are jeopardizing your health.So, let take few chocolate per day.
Comments
28th Nov 2012 (#)
I love chocolates too. Dark choc are better than milk choc. Lots of benefits in choc you have mentioned. Will continue eating then!
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12th Jan 2013 (#)
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12th Jan 2013 (#)
This is a top blog over here. I think I’ll visit your website more if you post more of this kind of specific information. Many thanks for posting this information.
Reply to this comment