Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Reach for That Chocolate and Remain Young!

Yes eating dark chocolate in moderation helps fight anti-aging. Just like spinach, olive oil and tomato chocolate, studies claim, can actually retard aging. The key word here is MODERATION.


What does chocolate contain that makes it so healthy? For one, chocolate contains flavonoids that reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease.

The flip side is, it's not that only chocolate contains flavonoids, lots of fruits and vegetables contain this health promoting substance too. So add a lot of fruits and vegetables to your diet, besides a little chocolate.

Yet, you'll be happy to know that the flavonoids in chocolates contain two substances called procyanidins and flavanols that are wonderful antioxidants. The same antioxidants are found in grape juice and green tea.

Did you know that optimum antioxidant levels in the bloodstream can help reduce risk of cancer by protecting DNA, protect your body against inflammation, besides helping keep blood vessels and heart in good condition?

Another point in f(l)avor of chocolates - lab tests have proved that antioxidant property of chocolate is more effective than that in green tea, black tea or red wine!

Here is some more good news about chocolates. Scientists have proved two anti-chocolate myths wrong.

Myth One: Chocolates cause migraine: Oh no! They do not

Myth Two: Chocolates rot healthy teeth: Oh no! Too much of anything sweet is harmful to teeth, if you do not maintain a healthy brush-floss-mouthwash regimen. Bitter chocolates, in moderation, do not harm teeth In fact they work against the harm sugar causes to teeth

Are you in pain? Have a chocolate! Yes chocolates are capable of helping release endorphins in the brain that are pain relievers. Research has also shown that stress levels are much lower in people who consume cocoa beans regularly. That is because chocolates have chemicals that can promote healthy blood flow and hence prevent blood clots and heart attacks.


Chocolates have important nutrients like magnesium, calcium, iron, a load of Vitamins (A, B1, C, D, and E) and other important nutrients like nitric oxide that can keep you healthy. So when you want to eat this delicious health bar here is what you should remember

  • Dark chocolates are healthier than milk chocolates
  • Chocolates from reputed and well endorsed companies are preferable to brands you do not know much about
  • Avoid chocolates that are rich in saturated fats and sugars

 The latest on chocolates: Scientists have sequenced the genome of two cocoa trees. Cocoa being the basic ingredient in chocolates, this endeavor will create a premise for developing high quality cocoa beans from disease free trees.