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Attention Chocoholics: Chocolate is good for you. Maybe
you don't have to be quite so secretive now about your indulgence. You
know who you are, you're the one who hides his or her chocolate wrappers
from friends and family.
Research has shown that 1 oz. of dark chocolate contains
a whopping amount of phytochemicals called flavonoids. These antioxidants
block damage that occurs when our cells are attacked by free radicals.
Free radicals are toxic molecules that enter our system. These are caused
by a variety of pollutants such as cigarette smoke, car exhaust, radiation,
pesticides, toxic chemicals etc. Over an undetermined period of time these
damaging molecules can cause the development of cancer, accelerate the
aging process and the diseases that correlate with this process, and turn
cholesterol into sticky plaque that clogs our arteries. We can fight these
free radicals by providing ourselves with an abundant supply of antioxidants.
This is where chocolate may play a role.
Just 1 oz. of a special chocolate packs more than twice
the antioxidants of red wine and other dark chocolates. Dove Dark is made
by Mars Candy. It contains Cocoapro cocoa. This is a specially processed
cocoa that contains superhigh levels of flavanols. Studies have shown
that people who have a diet rich in cocoa powder and dark chocolate have
higher levels of HDL (good cholesterol) and lower levels of LDL (bad cholesterol).
Cocoapro chocolate has been shown in the test tube to slow blood clotting,
and stabilize the production of arterial plaque. It is then less likely
that it will travel and cause a heart attack or stroke.
Cocoa has also been found to help increase the production
of nitric oxide in our bodies. Nitric oxide is responsible for keeping
our arteries flexible and increasing our blood flow. This has implications
for possible blood pressure control. Flavanol rich cocoa acts in a similar
way as low dose aspirin for promoting healthy blood flow. Studies do not
advocate that people stop their aspirin and eat chocolate, but it may
be an alternative for those who cannot take aspirin.
Other studies have shown cocoa not only to have the
ability to lower the risk of heart disease but also to show some promise
in lowering the incidence of lung cancer, prostate cancer, asthma, and
type 2 diabetes.
Dove Dark has proven to have higher levels of cocoapro
cocoa than any other chocolate on the market. Milk chocolate, while supplying
some benefit, does not have the same amount of flavanoids as the dark
chocolate.
As in all good things, there is a downside. Sorry chocoholics
but 1 oz. of dark chocolate does contain 11g of fat. So if you need to
be weight conscious you must lower the calories in another area to compensate.
Please do not use chocolate as a substitution for a healthy diet which
includes fresh fruits and vegetables. These provide good supplies of antioxidants
and other essential nutrients.
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On the humorous side- Once upon a time there
was a registered nurse (she didn't know at the time she was an aspiring
herbalist) and a lab technician. They were and are today still great friends.
These two women were on a camping trip to Estes Park, Colorado. Their
husbands were fitness nuts. Now while these women also liked to be fit
there were at times things that were more important, especially when you
are in a town that has a fudge shop. While the husbands were hiking and
climbing, these two great friends were doing what women do best, none
other than shopping. Of course the fudge shop beckoned. They indulged
themselves but wanted to destroy the evidence. They returned to the cabin
and hid the wrappers from the fudge in the very bottom of the trash can.
They had not been informed of the racoon activity at night. During the
night the racoons caused quite a clamor. They also betrayed these women
as the next morning there was the evidence of the fudge feast all over
the ground. Just goes to show, never trust an animal. Of course at the
time, many years ago, there was no evidence in our defense that chocolate
is good for us.
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