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Cheers for Chocolate
Adding small amounts of dark chocolate to your diet may help your health! That's the best news you've heard today!
Does eating chocolate to boost your health sound too good to be true? Some recent studies have found that adding this irresistible treat to your diet may actually offer some health benefits. However, before you head to the kitchen for a piece of chocolate cake, know that there is one catch – not all types of chocolate are created equal. In fact, only one in particular can be filed under the “good for you” category.
Researchers have found that dark chocolate, the type that undergoes the least amount of processing, contains flavanols, which are a form of flavanoids that help to lower blood pressure and cholesterol and improve blood flow to the brain and the heart. The flavanols help to give the cocoa it’s strong, pungent taste. In order to make types of chocolate such as milk chocolate and white chocolate, the cocoa undergoes different forms of processing, during which a large amount of flavanols are lost. This is why only dark chocolate makes the list as a heart healthy indulgence.
Studies have also shown that dark chocolate is high in antioxidants, which help your body to combat harmful free radicals. Other researchers have found that including a small amount of dark chocolate in your diet can even help to lower your risk of stroke.
Keep in mind that the health benefits come from dark chocolate alone, and not dark chocolate combined with other high fat ingredients like caramel, nougat and crèmes. There are also many other foods that can provide your body with healthy flavanols such as apples, tea, onions, cranberries and even red wine. So be smart about your sweets, and choose dark chocolate to satisfy your sweet tooth, but make healthier choices on a daily basis to keep your waist line in check.
Dark chocolate from Pumpkin Seed Bulk Food Co. is a smart purchase, not only for the flavanol benefits but to benefit your budget too. We recommend picking up some dark chocolate Wilbur Buds (our favorite!) to help you snack on this sweet treat without over-doing it. Indulge in a Wilbur bud or two during the day and you’ll be reaping the benefits of flavanols without wrecking your diet. Baking with dark chocolate is easy too thanks to these dark chocolate confectionery drops. Try putting them to use in this delicious recipe for chocolate chip oat bars.
Sources:
“Heart Health Benefits of Chocolate Unveiled.” Cleveland Clinic. http://my.clevelandclinic.org/heart/prevention/nutrition/chocolate.aspx
Denoon, Daniel J. “Dark Chocolate is Healthy Chocolate.” Web MD. http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20030827/dark-chocolate-is-healthy-chocolate
Ramsey, Sophie. “Chalk Up Another Health Benefit for Dark Chocolate.” Consumer Reports Health Blog. http://blogs.consumerreports.org/health/2010/02/chalk-up-another-health-benefit-for-dark-chocolate.html
Lucadamo, Kathleen. “Dark Chocolate May be Healthier than Fruit Juices for a Health Heart: Study.” New York Daily News. http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/health/2011/02/07/2011-02-07_dark_chocolate_may_be_healthier_than_fruit_juices_for_a_healthy_heart_study.html
