Here are some chocolate facts that I recently ran across. Good to know but please remember my grandma’s motto: “All things in moderation.” Even chocolate! (hard for some of us to do I know)
CHOCOLATE FACT #1: High in antioxidants
Ounce for ounce, chocolate is one of the richest food sources of these crucial substances. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals. Free radicals are rogue oxygen molecules that can accelerate aging and the problems that come with it.
CHOCOLATE FACT #2: Rich in valuable micronutrients
Chocolate supplies meaningful amounts of potassium, zinc, magnesium and iron.
CHOCOLATE FACT #3: Cholesterol “neutral”
Chocolate has been found to help promote healthy cholesterol levels. And, believe it or not, the fat found in chocolate is “cholesterol neutral,” meaning that it doesn’t have a negative effect on cholesterol levels.
CHOCOLATE FACT #4: Good for blood pressure
People who ate just over 3 ounces of premium quality dark chocolate each day for two straight weeks had an easier time maintaining healthy blood pressure, according to one study. And, according to a 2003 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, chocolate helped promote healthy blood pressure levels in the subjects studied. Chocolate helps relax blood vessels so blood can flow through them easier. This only works with DARK chocolate however. That is usually more than 70% cocoa.
CHOCOLATE FACT #5: A safe, mild stimulant
Chocolate actually has relatively little caffeine, but many people notice a quick increase in alertness and improvement in mood that can last hours after eating. Be careful–it can also keep you awake and as you may know, we have an article about
on this blog.
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