Dark Chocolate, The Delicious Super Food

Chocolate lovers all over the World (like myself), do not need scientific studies to learn about the mood altering power of chocolate .

Eating sweet and creamy chocolate is associated with feelings of love, emotional safety and comfort. It is no coincidence, that people make chocolate gifts to their loved ones on special occasions , such as Easter, Christmas , birthdays or Valentines Day.

It is an expression of love, consideration and friendship to bring some chocolate, when invited to someones house or birthday party. In various parts of the world, it has become a sort of ritual, to bring chocolate as a gift, when invited , to reward someone for a service or a favor, or simply to say: Sorry, or Forgive Me !
Besides of that kind of social function, is chocolate a food, that everybody loves, regardless of ones age, gender or other criteria . The bitter-sweet taste, and the delicious velvety mouth feel put us in a good mood, or even bring up some pleasant old memory .
The potential health benefits of chocolate may be high, but sadly, it usually contains a lot of sugar and saturated fats. Therefore it is not recommended for those with weight problems , or other people who must reduce sugar and fat intake.

 However, most of the other people without these health problems, are unaware of the benefits provided by eating moderat amounts of dark chocolate . Some researchers even say that  eating creamy dark chocolate can help people live longer.

But, did you know, that chocolate is addictive ?  Food scientists have found chocolate to be the single most craved food. Some researchers have even argued that chocolate is addictive.
    According to  Dana Small, assistant professor of neurology at Northwestern University Medical School, and her colleagues , the pleasantness of eating chocolate causes increased blood flow in specific areas of the brain, particularly in the orbital frontal cortex and midbrain, that are also activated by addictive drugs such as cocaine.

 Thebroma cacao, which is the scientific name of the cocoa bean, means, literally translated,  "food of the gods".
Cocoa beans are extremely rich in flavonoids, the same antioxidant compounds found in red wine and beer, coffee and tea.
  It is scientifically proven, that chocolate contains certain amounts of the vitamins A, C, B1, E,  and also micro elements like fluorine, iron, sodium, and potassium.

For the past centuries, chocolate was used for treating various diseases and problems including depression.  

Mexican and European civilizations revealed the aphrodisiac characteristics of chocolate. The United States government formally recognized the virtues of chocolate during the Second World War.

The potential health benefits of chocolate are highly recognized by scientists , but they also have noted that most commercially produced chocolate contains high levels of sugar and fat - which could undo the beneficial effects.

Norman Hollenberg, a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, says that "most of the chocolate currently available is delightful and delicious, but it's not a health food. But it's imminent, it's coming," he said of lavanol-enriched chocolates.
 Two years ago, when a study compared the blood vessel function of individuals who ate dark chocolate (with high levels of the chemicals ) to those who ate chocolate with a lower amount of flavanols, the potential health effects of flavanols were discovered .

Mars, a chocolate manufacturer, used that research as the basis for CocoaVia, a low-fat, flavanol-rich snack that is being test marketed and is available only online. It comes as an 80-calorie bar, which contains 100 mg of flavanols,and is the industry's first step toward creating a truly healthy chocolate, says Harold Schmitz, director of science at Mars.

Dark chocolate , which is usually more expensive than milk chocolate, is also  richest in flavonoids . It contains potent antioxidants, that are similar to the  antioxidants from red wine . In chocolate bars, this antioxidants help in preserving fats while it prevents atherosclerosis in the body. It also gobbles up destructive molecules and free radicals which are the main contributors for developing heart diseases and other illnesses.   However, some findings revealed that milk found in chocolates interferes in antioxidants absorption.    
    Therefore moderate consumption of dark chocolates is still advised.

  Flavonoids are the other known antioxidants found in dark chocolates , and they are also found in red wine, tea, vegetables, and some fruits, like apples. Flavonoids help the body in fighting some health conditions connected with stroke, and heart attacks. It slows down bad cholesterol processing which clog the arteries and prevents blood platelets from clumping.  However, flavonoids contents may also vary. Some foods are more flavonoids enriched and more active.

   In general, Belgian chocolates are enriched with cocoa phenols compared with other chocolates made from other countries. It is a hint for consumers that a darker color is better. Dark chocolates can lower high blood pressures provided that some factors are met. Large amounts of dark chocolates are only advisable for people at the right age and mild high blood pressures. Moreover, balancing calorie levels is needed by reducing other food intakes containing calories.
  So please, don`t give up your healthy lifestyle , just for eating some dark chocolate every other day.

   Consume chocolate up to 150 calories and 50% fats only, probably one ounce of solid chocolate pack. Too much consumption of chocolates must be avoided. It contains high levels of sugars of saturated fats which can cause obesity and health damage. If possible, minimize consumption of fat alternatives including chocolate syrups and foods covered with chocolates.  

   Knowing about these medical benefits of dark chocolates really helps. It is not only about eating but also learning its ingredients to know both the advantages and disadvantages. So, think twice before you give up chocolates in your diet.

   If you eat your chocolate in right amounts,  and in the right mood, it can be truly rewarding, and almost considered as a miracle food.