Dark Chocolate
Apr 30 2004 |
By David Silverberg
Dark chocolate need not be a guilty pleasure it can actually be healthy for you, according to several medical reports.
The evidence is almost overwhelming. A Harvard study found that eating dark chocolate three times a month could prolong your life by a year. A Dundee University study found that volunteers who ate dark chocolate cut the risk of developing blood clots by an astounding 75 per cent. And numerous reports have discovered that chocolate contains beneficial antioxidants called flavanoids that fight the bad cholesterol (LDL) known to clog arteries. In fact, an ounce of dark chocolate has the same amount of flavanoids as half a cup of brewed black tea, another well-known source. Evidently, this sweet treat is not just a tasty tantalizer.
Dr. Wendy Doyle, a nutritional expert for the British Dietetic Association, told a Scottish newspaper that dark chocolate is better than its milky counterpart because it has a stronger flavor and youre less likely to wolf down a huge amount. Remember, an ounce of dark chocolate has around 145 calories and 9 grams of fat.
By virtue of its health benefits, chocolate is no longer public enemy number one. In fact, its inclusion in a balanced diet complements a host of desserts than can grace any dinner table. But beware of the urban myths that tend to swirl around this sweet confectionary.
No, dark chocolate does not affect blood cholesterol. It is a plant product and thus cholesterol-free.
No, chocolate doesnt directly cause tooth decay. Plain chocolate bars arent sticky and clear out of the mouth quickly. In fact, cocoa contains substances that inhibit bacterial buildup and plaque.
No, chocolate doesnt contain truckloads of caffeine. According to the Wellness Letter of the University of Berkley, a one-ounce bar of dark chocolate has 20 milligrams of caffeine. A cup of cocoa has 20 milligrams or less. For comparison, a cup of tea averages 40 milligrams; a cup of coffee, 115 milligrams.
No, chocolate is not addictive. While it may fire off neurons that spread a feeling of well-being, a chocoholic would have to eat 50 to 100 pounds in one sitting to get any psychoactive effect. That doesnt even sound like fun.
And finally, despite what your parents have told you, chocolate does not cause acne. Its an old wives tale that sugar can spark pimples and blackheads.
While these factoids have been circulating for years, many people still demonize dark chocolate, milk chocolate and its cousins. Sure, it can cause tooth decay and weight gain in exorbitant amounts but the key warning here is eat everything in moderation. Even downing too much milk can be fattening.
Science still has yet to discover all the benefits of chocolate. The proven evidence, though, can sway the most stubborn naysayer, the most fervent chocolate-hater. It is too easy to bash a food based on presumptions; today, we have the answers to the health benefits of our favorite confectionary, our tasty buddy.
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