Healthy Chocolate – A Healthy Treat that Tastes Great
Posted by crazyaboutfood | Posted in Nutrition | Posted on 05-11-2009
Tags: healthy chocolate
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Healthy Chocolate comes with some of the most essential
nutrients needed by most Americans. This is probably why we
all have chocolate cravings.
The fruit of the cacao tree contains cacao seeds or beans.
If you peel open a seed or bean, that’s where you’ll find
the chocolate or chocolate nib.
Highest Amount of Antioxidants
Low temperature treated chocolate contains the most
antioxidant flavonoids of any other food found on this
planet. These antioxidant flavonoids protect you from free
radicals that are responsible for aging you.
The Benefits of Flavonoids:
Helps repair damage caused by free radicals
Keeps blood clots from forming
Helps with your circulation
Helps prevent heart disease
If your looking for a high antioxidant chocolate treat,
choose dark chocolate over milk chocolate and for the
highest amount choose raw chocolate.
Contains the Highest Magnesium Levels
Healthy Chocolate is an excellent source of the mineral
magnesium. We need magnesium for many of our body’s
functions such as balancing our brain chemistry. This could
be the reason women crave chocolate more during their
menstrual cycle.
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.
Healthy 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”
Two important brain chemicals found in chocolate are
phenylethylamine and anandamide.
Phenylethylamine gives you the same feeling as
falling-in-love. It also increases your alertness and your
focus.
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.
Besides magnesium, other essential minerals present are
calcium, zinc, iron, copper, and potassium along with
vitamins E and B.
You will not find much caffeine in raw chocolate. What you
will find is the sister molecule of caffeine which is called
theobromine.
Since chocolate has more of a stimulating effect when it is
roasted or cooked, eating your chocolate raw could give you
a much more pleasant experience.
To find some of the greatest quality low temperature treated
chocolate treats, Click Here.
You can find more antioxidant rich foods by visiting Destination Healthy Foods.


