Could it really be true? Can chocolate really be good for you? I was floored (and very happy) when I heard on the news recently that researchers have discovered that chocolate has some health benefits associated with it. Curiosity got the best of me and I went and did a little more research. Surprisingly, I found many articles on the web that agree with this discovery. Apparently it contains what are called flavonols, which are high in antioxidants. What is even better is that they can help lower high blood pressure and high cholesterol and potentially prevent blood clots. They can also give a mild energy boost, decrease anxiety, relieve pain, and make a person feel happier.
Now, personally, I would not recommend that you eat every candy bar and chocolate tidbit that you can find. Even if it does have some health benefits it is still high in fat content (of course there is always a downside). Also, different chocolates have different levels of flavonols. I know, it sounds strange to say that one is healthier than another however dark chocolate is healthier because it contains the highest levels of flavonols. The reason for this is because it does not go through as much processing as other chocolates. Just like vegetables, when you process it too much it loses its health benefits. When you boil or cook vegetables they lose some of their important vitamins and when you process chocolate it loses a lot of its beneficial properties.
We all know that chocolate probably is not the best snack for those of us that are watching our waistlines. However, for those of us that have an insatiable craving for it, this is really good news. Maybe now we can relax just a little bit while we enjoy it (in moderation of course). I know I will not feel quite as guilty now about sneaking a piece or two of dark chocolate every now and then.
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