Did you know that Chocolate is considered the #1 longevity food in the world?
Would you think that the sweetest, decadent and satisfying food is actually good for you?
First of all, we are not talking about the rich, calorific, sugar-laden chocolate bars with ingredients of refined sugar, unhealthy sweeteners, trans fatty acids and artificial flavors. The key to gaining the most benefit is to choose chocolate with a minimum of additives that can negate the health benefits.
The chocolate is formed out of the cacao seeds, coming from the fruit grown on the cacao tree. These are mostly grown in the shade of the tropical rainforests in South America and the West Indies.
You should be looking for organic, dark (not milk chocolate) raw and stone-ground or cold processed chocolate. Easy to find, not as easy as picking up a milky way at the drugstore, but dark, organic chocolate is available everywhere.
The ancillary health benefits of chocolate are simply amazing. This dark chocolate is great for those with asthma, as it contains theobromine and theyophilline, which are anti-asthmatic compounds. The cocoa, a compound of the chocolate contains flavones, which are antioxidants that increase blood flow to the brain.
Chocolate is actually good for your teeth as the theobromine contained in chocolate kills the bacteria that cause cavities. Chocolate can also decrease your stress and anxiety levels. Your body makes stress hormones and the chocolate reduces the production of those stress hormones.
One of the minerals of chocolate is copper and copper works to maintain blood health. In addition to copper in chocolate, it also contains zinc, which contributes to the health of your immune system, liver, pancreas and your skin.
Finally, many nutritionists consider chocolate as the best food for your heart. Chocolate lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease due to chocolate’s ability to reduce blood pressure.
Maybe we should keep our chocolate in the medicine cabinet!
To your health!
Jim
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