Gourmet Dark Chocolate - Your Heart's Favorite Snack
06.22.09 (11:05 am) [edit]
A box of chocolates is such an irresistible pleasure. We love that luscious taste and just can't seem to live without it. Although some people may try to persuade you that chocolate is bad for you, let's remember one thing: Not all chocolate candies are created equal.
Some people have the misconception that chocolate is the number one cause of obesity and consider it an unhealthy junk food. This could be true if you ate a pound of chocolate everyday, especially those made with high sugar and fat content. Poor quality ingredients such as wax, lard, high fructose corn syrup do result in inferior chocolate products and unhealthy side effects. The secret is to be very selective in the chocolate you choose.
Dark chocolate is actually very healthy for you.
Why dark chocolate? If you think about it, it is actually quite simple. The answer is flavanoids and their benefits to the health of your heart. These natural compounds are found in many foods and are powerful antioxidants that help your body's cells fight damage caused by nasty free radicals.
Chocolate is a wonder food that has been loved from antiquity to our modern times, and there's no reason you should avoid it. You just need to choose wisely.
What about fat? Chocolate is a curious mix of three acids, all portioned into equal parts and two of which are healthy. Oleic acid is a healthy fat also found in olive oil, while Stearic acid is a saturated fat that doesn't raise or lower cholesterol levels.
Chocolate comes from cocoa that is processed into different forms. This processing can remove the natural, pungent flavor and also the flavanoids that make it so beneficial. This means that dark chocolate, with less processing, has the highest level of this healthy substance and your best bet for enhancing your cardiovascular health. Chocolate also helps keep your blood pressure and cholesterol levels low, making it your heart's best friend.
If you typically eat milk chocolate, you may find it takes a little getting used to the taste of dark gourmet chocolate. Let the chocolate melt in your mouth and totally enjoy this sensuous food. You'll feel happy with the release of endorphins and serotonin as you enjoy the tantalizing taste.
This doesn't mean you can go out and eat as much chocolate as you want. Remember, eating chocolate is all about balance. When you're going to indulge in this soul soothing experience, skip the nougat and the milk, and choose gourmet dark chocolate.