Chocolate is tasty, but new research suggests that certain kinds of chocolate may be healthy for the heart. Recent studies have been published in prestigious scientific journals sighting dark chocolate as being "healthy chocolate". Although white chocolate and milk chocolate are not, dark chocolate is actually good for you. True "healthy chocolate" comes from using natural high-quality raw cacao or cocoa beans, which are unprocessed and unroasted. As a result, the natural nutrients and beneficial antioxidants are preserved. Chocolate is made from plants, which means it contains many of the health benefits of dark vegetables. These health benefits include: antioxidants (which may reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease), minerals, such as copper, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, and calcium. Raw and unprocessed cocoa beans or cocoa powder made from raw cocoa beans which have NOT been treated with alkalis (in the Dutch chocolate process) are a true "healthy chocolate". Raw cacao contains the greatest concentration of antioxidants, and acai berries the second greatest, among all of the natural foods. Raw cacao protects the liver, brain and heart. One way that dark chocolate benefits heart health is by reducing blood pressure. Studies have suggested that individuals can lower their high blood pressure by consuming a small amount of dark chocolate daily. Antioxidant flavonoids provide this benefit. Antioxidant rich flavonoids are plant-derived chemicals, which offer several nutritional benefits. Healthy chocolate also contains benefits apart from protecting your heart: it tastes good and stimulates endorphin production, which gives a feeling of pleasure. It contains serotonin, which acts as an anti-depressant. In the magazine Chemistry & Industry, Marina Murphy reports that the compound epicatechin, found in unprocessed cocoa, may rival penicilin and anaesthesia in importance as far as public health is concerned. The pharmaceutical industry would likely declare a product with a patent a "miracle drug" if it contained all the health benefits of raw unprocessed cocoa. In choosing a "healthy chocolate", look for a pure chocolate made using unroasted, unprocessed cocoa beans. It is also important that the cacao beans are not treated with chemicals or alkalis. Healthy chocolate must also never contain additives like animal fats/dairy products, preservatives, refined/processed sugar or corn syrup and hydrogenated oils. Healthy chocolate's super-high ORAC value makes it a good way to increase daily antioxidants, protecting your heart and combating the effects of free radicals.
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