HEALTH BENEFITS OF CHOCOLATE !!
antioxidants, chocolate, health, imagine, diet
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Chocolate is made from plants, which means it contains many of the health benefits of vegatables. These benefits are from "flavonoids", which act as "antioxidants". Antioxidants protect the body from aging caused by "free radicals", which can cause damage that leads to heart disease. Dark chocolate contains a large number of antioxidants - more so than milk chocolate.
Flavonoids provide important protective benefits to plants, such as in repairing damage and shielding from environmental toxins. When we consume plantbased foods rich in flavonoids, it appears that we also benefit from this "antioxidant" power. Flavonoids also help relax blood pressure through the production of "nitric oxide", and balance hormones in the body.
Chocolate does have some fat but the good news is some of the fats in chocolate do not impact your cholesterol. The fats in chocolate are 1/3 oleic acid, 1/3 stearic acid and 1/3 palmitic acid. OLEIC ACID is a healthy monounsaturated fat that is also found in olive oil. STEARIC ACID is a saturated fat but one which research shows has a neutral effect on cholesterol. PALMITIC ACID is also a saturated fat, one which raises cholesterol and heart disease risk. This means only 1/3 of the fat in chocolate is bad for you.
So enjoy chocolate several times a week. Don't forget to eat other flavonoid-rich foods like apples, red wine, tea, onions and cranberries.
Of course I have to end this with my important MEMO " GIVE ME ALL YOUR CHOCOLATE AND NO ONE WILL BE HURT" !!!!!!
ENJOY !!!!!!
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on 6/24/2008
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