Dark Chocolate Health Benefits

There have been a number of studies on the health benefits of chocolate these last few years and they all agree on one thing.

Eating a small amount of dark chocolate can be good for you.

Minimally processed cocoa - dark chocolate is the least processed of all chocolate - contains antioxidants just like those found in green tea.

Some of the benefits of antioxidants are:

• Improved Digestion
  
• Improved circulation
  
• Helps the cells that line the blood vessels due their job
  
• Destroys free radicals in protecting against stroke and heart disease
  
• Lowers blood pressure
  
• lowers the death rate from heart disease
  
• Ignites the kidneys

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"A cup or two of hot cocoa every once in a while can
provide a delicious, warm and healthy way to obtain
more antioxidants"
Dr Chang Yong Lee,
Cornell University


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These antioxidants appear to be present in only the dark chocolate, not the white chocolate or the milk chocolate as the antioxidants are processed out.

If your eating for the dark chocolate health benefits then stay away from milk when eating the chocolate. Milk has been found to block the absorption of antioxidants while eating chocolate.

This would eliminate any dark chocolate health benefits.

Researchers are also considering the case for milk having the same effects on other antioxidant rich foods like green vegetables, fruits and green tea.

Dark Chocolate and Blood Pressure

Cocoa phenols are known to lower blood pressure. Dark chocolate is loaded with these cocoa phenols which will help lower your blood pressure just make sure to make up for the extra calories by eating less of something else.

Who said you can't have your candy and eat it too?

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