Is Chocolate Good for You?

The phrase 'chocolate is good for health', is music to a chocoholic's ears. For once, we can relish on something we like and not feel guilty about it. But, is this really true? Do chocolates have health benefits? Well, the cocoa in chocolate bars are good for health, as they comprise several chemicals that benefit the heart and other organs of the body. Milk chocolates are full of cocoa butter, sugar, milk, lecithin, etc. that add calories and saturated fats to our bodies. Thus, to tap most of the benefits of cocoa, one needs to pick up chocolate bars with the highest amounts of cocoa in them.

Why is Chocolate Good for You?

Improves Heart Health
According to researches, consuming a small, square piece of dark chocolate a day will help reduce one's blood pressure levels. It also helps decrease the risks of cardiovascular diseases. Scientists have found that people consuming at least 7.5 grams of chocolate every day, have a 39% lower risk of heart attack, as compared to those who consumed only 1.7 grams of chocolate daily. Flavanols present in cocoa boost nitric oxide supply in the body and help lower blood pressure levels. Cocoa increases the supply of blood to the brain. Moreover, dark chocolate with cocoa content of at least 70% reduces oxidative stress and boosts vascular and platelet function.

Helps Prevent Cancer
Cocoa contains high levels of antioxidants, whose function is to destroy harmful free radicals formed as a result of metabolism. For every 100 grams, dark chocolate contains 13,120 ORACs (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity Units). These antioxidants prevent cancer, Alzheimer's disease, arthritis and cholesterol problems.

Increases Libido
According to Italian researchers, women who consume chocolates on a regular basis have better love lives. They struck a connection between chocolate and sex drive. They also found that the overall sexual function and sexual desire was higher among chocoholics. Hilda Hutcherson, M.D., author of Pleasure, states that cocoa contains chemicals associated with 'relaxation, intoxication, and pleasure'. Eating chocolate shortly before having sex, helps release endorphins in the body. It basically relaxes and gives a feeling of satisfaction along with increasing the sex drive.

Elevates Mood
The two chemicals serotonin and dopamine are chemicals governing moods in the body. Cocoa contains monoamine oxidize inhibitors, which maintain the amounts of these mood governing hormones for longer time in the blood and delay their oxidation. Because of this delay, these chemicals flow freely in the bloodstream for longer periods of time, thereby keeping the mood elevated.

Improves Brain Health
Preliminary research at West Virginia's Wheeling Jesuit University suggested that chocolate may boost one's concentration and attention span. Moreover, it also enhances memory capacity and increases problem solving skills as cocoa helps increase blood flow to the brain. Research also reveals that chocolate may help preserve brain function as people age.

Smooths Skin
In a research conducted by German researchers, 24 women were given half cup of special extra-flavonoid enriched cocoa on a daily basis. After 3 months these women had smoother, moister and more supple skin. Researchers believe that the flavonoids in cocoa absorb UV light, thereby protecting the skin and improving its appearance. These flavonoids also help in fighting wrinkles and also help slow down the aging process.

Reduces Cavity Formation
Chocolate may be good for the heart, but how can it be good for the teeth? After all, doesn't chocolate conduce to teeth decay? Well, scientists have said that chocolates have the ability to offset the acid production potential of the sugar it contains. The tannins in cocoa interfere with the action of bacteria on the teeth, which reduces cavity formation. The cocoa content in chocolate is good for the teeth, however, it's the sugar in the chocolate that causes the trouble. Thus, two European companies Barry Callebaut and Smet, came up with the first ever chocolate that does not conduce to tooth decay. They substituted the sugar in chocolate with a different type of sugar called isomaltulose. This sugar prevents increase in acidity in the mouth, which is what results in tooth decay.

These above-mentioned health benefits of cocoa should not give us an excuse to indulge on excess chocolate. Chocolate gluttony cannot be accepted. Overindulgence results in loading oodles of calories and saturated fats, that increase weight and levels of saturated fats in the body, which in turn trigger heart disease. Thus, as with most things in life, moderation seems to be paramount!