Do you remember your childhood days when you were told that eating chocolates are bad for you? For many years we were under the misconception that it was fattening, made our teeth rot, and was a major cause of acne and other skin ailments. Well it seems that we had been given a raw deal on this subject. There is some exciting news for chocolate lovers all around the world. Chocolate is good for you. In fact, it is very good for you. I am referring to dark chocolate of course. But what makes it so healthy? It is all in the flavonoids.
Flavonoids are compounds that occur naturally in plant-based foods. There are more than 4000 different flavonoid compounds, and are found in a wide variety of foods and drinks, which include cranberries, apples, chocolate, tea, and red wine. There is a particular type called flavonois, which is specifically found in cocoa and chocolate, and it is this, which gives chocolates its pungent taste. In fact, the taste is so strong that many of the flavonois are removed during processing of coca into the various products. Other times, we consume it either as chocolate or as hot chocolate, and are only tasting a fraction of what it actually tastes like. Companies are now in the process of looking for better ways to retain as much of the flavonois as they can. What makes flavonoids so beneficial to us is that they protect us from environmental toxins by acting as a shield. They are also able to repair damage caused by free radicals as well as resist the damage that they can cause. Flavonoids do this so efficiently that they can help reduce the risk of LDL cholesterol as well as plaque forming on the walls of the arteries.
The fact that it is found in chocolate is not all that bad either, because it is made up of oleic acid (which is also found in olive oil), stearic acid and palmitic acids. Stearic acid is a neutral acid and has no effect on cholesterol levels. Palmitic acid does affect cholesterol levels, although it only makes up one third of the calories in chocolate. New discoveries about dark chocolate include the fact that cacao, from which it is derived, contains antibacterial agents that are able to protect against tooth decay. So much for the warnings about how chocolate causes teeth to rot. Another great discovery is the chemical Phenyl Ethylamine, which acts as a mild mood elevator. That is why chocolate is used as comfort food, especially for those with depression.
It is great to know that something which we had been warned about previously is actually good for us. This does not mean that we can binge on chocolates. As with everything, moderation is the key word. One word of warning though, please do not feed chocolates your pets as it is poisonous to them. Otherwise, you can enjoy a block of dark chocolate with the knowledge that it is good for your health and will not cause your teeth to rot.
Flavonoids are compounds that occur naturally in plant-based foods. There are more than 4000 different flavonoid compounds, and are found in a wide variety of foods and drinks, which include cranberries, apples, chocolate, tea, and red wine. There is a particular type called flavonois, which is specifically found in cocoa and chocolate, and it is this, which gives chocolates its pungent taste. In fact, the taste is so strong that many of the flavonois are removed during processing of coca into the various products. Other times, we consume it either as chocolate or as hot chocolate, and are only tasting a fraction of what it actually tastes like. Companies are now in the process of looking for better ways to retain as much of the flavonois as they can. What makes flavonoids so beneficial to us is that they protect us from environmental toxins by acting as a shield. They are also able to repair damage caused by free radicals as well as resist the damage that they can cause. Flavonoids do this so efficiently that they can help reduce the risk of LDL cholesterol as well as plaque forming on the walls of the arteries.
The fact that it is found in chocolate is not all that bad either, because it is made up of oleic acid (which is also found in olive oil), stearic acid and palmitic acids. Stearic acid is a neutral acid and has no effect on cholesterol levels. Palmitic acid does affect cholesterol levels, although it only makes up one third of the calories in chocolate. New discoveries about dark chocolate include the fact that cacao, from which it is derived, contains antibacterial agents that are able to protect against tooth decay. So much for the warnings about how chocolate causes teeth to rot. Another great discovery is the chemical Phenyl Ethylamine, which acts as a mild mood elevator. That is why chocolate is used as comfort food, especially for those with depression.
It is great to know that something which we had been warned about previously is actually good for us. This does not mean that we can binge on chocolates. As with everything, moderation is the key word. One word of warning though, please do not feed chocolates your pets as it is poisonous to them. Otherwise, you can enjoy a block of dark chocolate with the knowledge that it is good for your health and will not cause your teeth to rot.
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