The Healing Properties of Chocolate

Here are a few articles (and quotes) about how amazing dark chocolate can be. Remember, once chocolate is heated, it loses many of its nutrients. Enjoy:

"Chocolate is a Super Food"

• Superfoods are usually classed as those high in antioxidants – compounds which prevent oxidisation and can stop healthy cells from being damaged.  
• The research showed that both dark chocolate and cocoa had more antioxidant activity and more flavonols than fruit.
• Cacao seeds should be considered a 'super fruit' and products derived from cacao seed extracts, such as natural cocoa powder and dark chocolate, as 'super foods'," she said.
• However heating chocolate destroyed any health giving properties, they discovered. 

Article: The Telegraph

 "Cocoa shows promise as next wonder drug"

• ...heavy intake of certain types of cocoa as an easy, inexpensive way to increase blood to the brain and, thus, to play a role in reducing the risk of those devastating diseases.
• Don’t run to the beverage section of your local market right away, however. Hollenberg’s and his colleagues’ experiments dealt with natural cocoa, not varieties that have undergone extensive processing to suit consumer tastes.
• four cups of (flavanol-rich) cocoa dramatically increased blood flow to the arms and fingers of people after only four days
• (an increase in cacao) can help people fighting diseases ranging from high blood pressure, hardening of arteries, and stroke to diabetes, vascular dementia, and preeclampsia, a serious condition that affects pregnant women.

Article: The Harvard Gazette.

Such great information, right? Who knew that chocolate could be so amazing for you? Don't forget, as soon as chocolate is heated, all bets are off and the health-giving properties are destroyed. Learn more about the health benefits of chocolate here --> CHOCOLATE.