Fat Loss 4 Idiots Secret

Friday, September 4, 2009

Healthy Chocolate - Healthy Food Never Tasted Better

By Kathryn Barry

Healthy Chocolate comes with some of the most essential nutrients needed by most Americans. This is probably why we all have chocolate cravings.

Chocolate comes from the fruit of the cacao tree. This fruit contains cacao seeds or beans and inside the bean is where you'll find the chocolate.

Greatest Quantity of Flavonoids

The highest amount of antioxidant flavonoids goes to low temperature treated and unprocessed chocolate. These antioxidants help to protect your body from the damaging effects of free radicals.

The Benefits of Flavonoids:

Helps prevent damage to your cells

Reduces blood clotting

Keeps your circulation moving

Lowers your risk of heart disease

Raw chocolate has the highest amount of antioxidant flavonoids. Dark chocolate has a good amount and beats milk chocolate hands down.

Highest Amount of Magnesium

Healthy Chocolate is a great way to help balance your brain chemistry during that time of the month or any time of the month. Women seem to crave chocolate more then men and this could be due to a need for the mineral magnesium.

To keep your heart functioning at its best, you need a regular supply of magnesium. Americans are extremely deficient in this mineral and about 80% of us need to focus on adding more to our diets.

Beneficial Fatty Acids

Chocolate is a source of saturated fat which does not seem to raise cholesterol levels. It is also a source of heart healthy monounsaturated fat.

Chocolate's monounsaturated fat contains a powerful fatty acid called oleic acid which is also found in olive oil.

Contains "Feel Happy Chemicals"

The chemicals that affect your brain chemistry are called anandamide and phenylethylamine.

Phenylethylamine has the ability to increase alertness and focus, but the most important feeling it gives you is the same feeling as when you are in-love.

Anandamide levels increase in your brain with the consumption of chocolate. This chemical produces a feeling of relaxation and just makes you feel good.

Healthy Chocolate is Raw Cacao

In its raw and unadultered state, chocolate is actually a valuable and potent super food. Chocolate processed at low temperatures protects its nutrients, vitamins and minerals.

Magnesium is the most abundant, but also present are minerals such as iron, copper, zinc, calcium and potassium. Along with these minerals there are B vitamins and vitamin E.

Raw chocolate or raw cacao is low in caffeine, but contains theobromine. This is the less stimulating sister molecule of caffeine.

It has been shown that when your consume your chocolate raw there is a much less stimulating effect than when you eat cooked or roasted chocolate. - 17274

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