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.
Greatest Quantity of Flavonoids
Real chocolate has more antioxidant flavonoids than any known food on this planet. Antioxidants protect your body from the aging process created by free radicals. The more unprocessed and low temperature treated the chocolate, the more antioxidants it will contain.
The Benefits of Flavonoids:
Helps repair damage caused by free radicals
Lowers your blood clot risk
Improves circulation
Reduces risk of stroke and heart attacks
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.
Women aren't the only ones who need magnesium as the majority of Americans are quite deficient in this important mineral. It is vital for the regulation of your blood pressure and for the health of your heart.
Healthy Fatty Acids
Chocolate is comprised of saturated fats as well as monounsaturated fats. The saturated fat in chocolate does not appear to raise your cholesterol levels.
Chocolate contains the same fatty acid that makes olive oil so healthy. Oleic acid is found in chocolate's monounsaturated fat just like in olive oil.
The Chemicals Found in Chocolate Make You Happy
The chemicals that affect your brain chemistry are called anandamide and phenylethylamine.
Phenylethylamine gives you the same feeling as falling-in-love. It also increases your alertness and your focus.
Chocolate increases anandamide in your brain and the enzyme inhibitors found in anandamide helps to keep a lasting feeling of relaxation and bliss going.
Healthy Chocolate is Uncooked Chocolate
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.
Raw cacao contains very small amounts of caffeine and theobromine. Theobromine is the sister molecule of caffeine and is less of a stimulant.
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.
To find some of the best raw cacao and cacao smoothie ideas, go to Raw Cacao Powder. For important information on antioxidant rich foods visit Destination Healthy Foods.
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