My Healthy Obsession with Chocolate

My Healthy Obsession with Chocolate

If you're anything like me, then just hearing the word chocolate makes your mouth water! I don't know if it is the rich taste of chocolate which draws me or if it is the feeling it leaves you with afterwards. The best part is thanks to recent discoveries, chocolate has been shown to have a great deal of health benefits. It's now ok to eat as much of it as you want.

Scientists are proving that most of those myths related to the dangerous effects of eating too chocolate are simply not true such as eating too much will rot your healthy teeth or that chocolate triggers migraine headaches. Here are eight more facts about chocolate that you may not have realized:

1. Fights depression - Dark chocolate contains tryptophan, a chemical involved in the production of serotonin. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter which regulates anger, aggression, mood and sleep. Dark chocolate makes you feel happy.

1. Heart healthy – Medical studies have proven that regular consumption of cocoa reduces the risk of blood clots, strokes and heart attacks. Magnesium, found in dark chocolate, is essential for the cardiovascular system. The majority of people who suffer heart attacks have low levels of magnesium. A study from 2006 found that regular consumption of cocoa resulted in a 50 percent reduction in cardiovascular mortality.

1. Increases healthy cholesterol - Contains oleic acid, a monosaturated omega-9 fatty acid. Scientific studies have demonstrated that this type of fat increases levels of HDL or health cholesterol.

1. Reduces unhealthy cholesterol - People who ate about 99 grams of dark chocolate a day for two weeks experienced a significant reduction in LDL cholesterol which is the bad kind.

1. Lowers blood pressure - According to various medical and scientific studies, regular consumption of chocolate lowers both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

1. Increases insulin sensitivity - Diabetes and hypoglycemia develop as a result of insulin insensitivity; because cocoa increases insulin sensitivity, researchers have found that it can actually protect against these diseases.

1. Natural stimulant - Contains caffeine, making it a healthier alternative to coffee.

1. Thought to be an aphrodisiac - Many people who habitually consume chocolate have noticed an increase in sexual drive. This may be because it increases levels of serotonin, which among other things, is a factor in sexual drive.

1. Can help you lose weight - As bizarre as it may sound, cocoa has been linked to weight loss in scientific studies. Researchers believe this is because it is rich in fiber, which helps to prevent fat absorption. Fiber also satiates hunger, which can also lead to weight loss.