Guide – Choose organic chocolates. Certified organic chocolate ensures there are no harmful pesticide residues.

According to the Congress of the International Society on Thrombosis & Haemostasis, a report released on August 10, 2005 elaborates how “Cocoa is the New Red Wine…”

In Southampton, England, a research team headed by Dr. Denise O’Shaugnessy, presents new evidence that drinking a cup of cocoa is benefiicial in the prevention of potentially life-threatening strokes and heart attacks. Per Dr. O’Shaugnessy, “Cocoa contains a substance called flavenoids, which are also present in red wine. Flavenoids can be preventive for coronary heart disease…”1

What exactly are “Flavenoids?” Flavenoids are chemical antioxidants that help to lower cholesterol levels. Not only effective in boosting immune systems, flavenoids help in the fight against heart disease, support weight control, and can even shield against some cancers.

Cocoa powder and chocolate, especially, contain sources that are rich in high quality polyphenol. According to one Dutch study, research discovered that chocolate contained a rich source of polyphenol flavenoid catechin — which had four times the amount found in tea!2

In addition to cocoa and chocolate, apples and grapes are great sources for flavenoids. Some other good flavenoid sources include: blueberries, cranberries, hazelnuts, pecans, pintos, pistachios, plums, red kidney beans and small red beans.

Guilt-free chocolate? Perhaps. Like all dietary consumption, certain foods are best used in moderation and should never replace the advice of a professional practitioner.

Guide – Choose chocolates with the least amount of refined white sugar or other sweetener. Dark ‘bittersweet’ chocolates with a high percentage of cocoa solids (usually the label will state the exact percentage) have less sugar than semisweet or milk chocolate and also have the greatest health benefits.

To learn more about flavenoids or natural wellbeing and health, feel free to peruse our Holistic and Naturopathic directories at Holistic Junction today.

References:

1. The XXthCongress of the International Society on Thrombosis & Haemostasis: Media Release: Cocoa is the New Red Wine
2. World Cocoa Foundation: Antioxidants/Arts IC, Hollman PC, Kromhourt D. Chocolate as a source of tea flavonoids. Lancet, 1999; 354:488
3. Health Bulletin: Using Foods Instead of Drugs for Health

Copyright 2005 — All Rights Reserved
Health Update: Have your Chocolate and Eat it, too!
Report by C. Bailey-Lloyd

About the Author:
C. Bailey-Lloyd – Author of “Somewhere Along the Beaten Path”

Guide – If one swallows a cup of chocolate only three hours after a copious lunch, everything will be perfectly digested and there will still be room for dinner.

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Guide – ‘Life is like a box of chocolates..

We all love chocolate candy, but as we grow older some of us begin to consider it a forbidden fruit. How did something that ancient civilizations considered the food of the gods become so riddled with controversy today?

In this day of saturated versus unsaturated fats and monitoring cholesterol levels, chocolate candy has taken a bad wrap. A little research into the notional value of chocolate brings some revelations over which candy lovers everywhere can rejoice – chocolate can be good for us!

Guide – The Swiss eat the most chocolate. The average person eats 19lbs a year.

Chocolate candy does not raise the bad cholesterol (LDL) as other saturated fats do. It also contains antioxidants, the same types of antioxidants found in a glass of red wine. Antioxidants improve & strengthen your immune system. They are thought to help prevent stroke, heart disease and cancer. And if that wasn’t enough many more health benefits are contributed to antioxidants including slowing the aging process & the visible signs of aging. The darker and more pure forms of chocolate contain the most antioxidants.

Guide – Children are more likely to prefer chocolate when they reach 10-11 years old than when they are younger.

Chocolate candy does not contain as much caffeine as you might think either. An average serving of chocolate candy has far less caffeine than a cup of coffee.

I bet you didn’t know that chocolate is a rich source of phosphorus and magnesium too. The benefits of each are well documented. Magnesium helps to maintain muscle and nerve function, is good for strong bones, and supports a healthy immune system and more. Phosphorus is important for bone and teeth formation in children and for works with calcium to keep bones strong and healthy for us throughout our lives.

Some ingredients in chocolate can even trigger happy feelings in our brain. What better choice could there possibly be for an afternoon pick me up?

Children from 1 to 100 love candy. Remember the joy when you poured your trick or treating loot out onto the floor to behold it in all its glory? There before your eyes, laid the candy cane, candy bar, chocolate candy, and sweet candy of all types. If you had a health conscious neighbor,
you might even have some sugar free candy to try. And guess what? It tasted just as fantastic as the rest of your loot.

Guide – The largest chocolate bar ever made weighed over 5,000 pounds and was made in Italy in 2000. The largest slab of fudge was over 2,000 pounds and was made in Canada.

Reminisce a bit today and enjoy some chocolate. Don’t wait only for holidays or special occasions to enjoy chocolate candy. Lose the guilt; after all, chocolate in moderation is good for you!

Natalie Aranda writes about family, children and health. Chocolate candy does not raise the bad cholesterol (LDL) as other saturated fats do. It also contains antioxidants, the same types of antioxidants found in a glass of red wine. Antioxidants improve & strengthen your immune system. Chocolate candy does not contain as much caffeine as you might think either. An average serving of chocolate candy has far less caffeine than a cup of coffee.