Can dark chocolate increase good cholesterol: HDL?
Diabetic Medicine recently published a placebo-controlled, double-blind crossover study that evaluated the effects of dark chocolate on the levels of weight and blood sugar control and cholesterol in 12 patients with type 2 diabetes. Two groups were randomly selected.
The first group received 45 grams of 85 percent dark chocolate to eat every day for 8 weeks and the second group received a placebo containing no cocoa solids, but stained the same color as the dark chocolate.
Eight weeks after the trial concluded, the results showed that none of the participants gained weight despite eating 45 grams of chocolate per day and HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol) increased significantly when the subjects ate dark chocolate daily.
Researchers suspect that the high content of polyphenols in black chocolate is responsible for the positive results observed in this study. Although this was a relatively small, it seems that dark chocolate in moderation is not harmful and may actually provide significant benefits.
and it may seem impossible that life can change and Health restored, or greatly improved, by the consumption of dark chocolate, but it's true! And that is good news to the 50% of the world's population say they could not live without chocolate.
1200 studies have verified a long list of health benefits that are associated with the consumption of dark chocolate. For example, research suggests it may reduce blood pressure, improve cognitive function and act as mood enhancer, reduce stress and nervousness.
It can also suppress appetite and promote better sleep cycles.
Cocoa powder contains sulfur, which helps promote healthy skin and builds strong hair and nails. It also helps detoxify the liver, and supports the healthy functioning of the pancreas. fresh cocoa beans are also extremely rich in flavonoids, which are strong antioxidants that help to maintain healthy blood flow.
The Oxygen Radical Absorbent Capacity (ORAC) index is a method of measuring antioxidants in a wide variety of foods. Research has found that 100 grams of raw cocoa powder has an ORAC value of 26,000 making it the highest level of any normal food.
Dark chocolate, organic laboratory tests have confirmed, has a degree of ORAC 33,928 per unit compared to 18,500 for Acai berries, strawberries for 1540 and 1260 only to raw spinach.
Enjoy the taste of chocolate but eat more dark chocolate and and get some essential health benefits. Your body will love it!
About the Author: Jannette has researched health and well being issues for the past 20 years and holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Health Promotion. Choose Chava Vital Chocolate which ticks all the boxes for health, well being and happiness. Claim your free Aussie eBook "The Truth Revealed - Activated Liquid Zeolite" at http://CleansingZeolite.com
Health Benefits of Eating Chocolate
A study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that a diet supplemented with dark chocolate resulted in minor reduction of cholesterol levels (LDL), a condition which in turn could lead to a reduction in clogged arteries. ...
Publish Date: 04/10/2011 12:04
http://www.smartgook.com/health-benefits-of-eating-chocolate.html
ChocolateDietSystem.com REVIEW – Dark Chocolate Can Trigger Weight ...
Being happier can help people become more active and choose healthier decisions, dark chocolate helps with this. This raw cocoa is good for both healthy and unhealthy cholesterol. Lots of people consume the unhealthy cholesterol. ...
Publish Date: 04/04/2011 2:46
http://www.dailyarticles.co.cc/health/2011/04/chocolatedietsystem-com-review-dark-chocolate-can-trigger-weight-reduction/
How dark chocolate raises HDL, improves cholesterol profile at ...
ACS.org - In time for the chocolate-giving and chocolate-enjoying fest on Valentine's Day, scientists are reporting discovery of how the cocoa ingredient in dark chocolate boosts the body's production of high-density lipoprotein ...
Publish Date: 02/09/2011 20:20
http://ihealthbulletin.com/blog/2011/02/09/how-dark-chocolate-raises-hdl-improves-cholesterol/
Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate Studies
From Yale to Texas A&M, Brazil to Italy & Germany... Dark Chocolate is being rediscovered in clinical studies, thousands of years after the Mayans, as a vital component to optimal health.
What is the best brand of dark chocolate to eat for health benefits?
I read that you should seek the chocolate with the highest percentage of cocoa, and the lowest amount of sugar.
I have yet to find a definitive scientific study determining the hierarchy of brands of chocolate for its health benefits. But I do have some favorites: Dagoba Organic Organic Dark Chocolate - Eclipse 87 and Chocolove Dark Chocolate - Organic 73 Cocoaare two great tasting dark chocolate bars. You might also look for Green & Black, Paul Newman's Own and Endangered Species chocolate bars.
I always try to find organic dark chocolate - many brands now carry that choice. Additionally there are four other things you can do to maximize the health benefits of the dark chocolate you eat:
1. The darker the chocolate the better. Black chocolate that has a higher percentage of cocoa solids, which contains the health benefits is better than milk chocolate or white. Most dark chocolate products state the percentage of cacao on the label. The higher the number of cacao, 50%, 62 %, 75%, the better.
2. Eat moderate portions. Dark chocolate is healthier when you think of it as a luxury that is to be treasured. Chocolate is a food high in calories. Take it in small portion, that is, nibble at the chocolate bar of your choice and let it last a couple of days or more. This way, you can savor the taste and enjoy the health benefits of black chocolate each day without being overtaken by the health problems of weight gain.
3. Avoid the high-calorie extras. The health benefits of black chocolate come from the antioxidants in cocoa. All the other components, such as sugar, and some extras such as nougat, caramel, marshmallow, etc., just add calories. Go for the pure chocolate bar when you can.
4. Do not consume milk when eating dark chocolate. For some reason, the health benefits of chocolate are diminished when black chocolate is consumed with milk. Read more about the health benefits of dark chocolate here: http://www.dark-chocolate-life.com/dark-chocolate-health-benefits.html
When thinking about popcorn, you more often than not also think of the Chocolate. The two have been paired together for decades and few foods are as apparently right for them. Movie theater for a weekend of camping, chocolate and popcorn are two flavors that are meant for each other. They complement each other to form a delicious tasty treat that delights the palates worldwide.
It's easy to link the two together in your home. You simply need to pop some corn and then add the favorite candy bar to the mix. However, there are boutiques, shops and online stores that sell chocolate, freshly made popcorn, mixed together into a gourmet marriage - here is the best of the food world in two flavors that should be linked, but rarely is combined in the home.
However, there are also health benefits which are additional benefits of linking both chocolate and popped corn. Popping corn, when it is bought natural, is high in fiber and contains very little sugar or sodium. The addition of chocolate only increases the health benefits of this delicious snack. This article explores the 3 positive health benefits of gourmet chocolate popcorn.
Chocolate is an aphrodisiac.
As long as chocolate has been available for courtiers, lovers and partners, it has been seen as an important part of romantic love. Like wine, chocolate is seen as an aphrodisiac. Which means that it is known to be one of the things that helps bring lovers together. In fact, a common love for dark, and milk , chocolate and popcorn has been seen as an important part of finding and maintaining healthy relationships.
The scientific basis for this claim is unclear though it appears that chocolate does increase the hormones that cause pleasure. So the exact aphrodisiac properties of cacao may still be somewhat dubious, it is one of the most discussed benefits of eating chocolate. And there is no doubt that many women enjoy receiving chocolates...
Helps increase the circulatory system
Choosing dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate may come with additional benefits. It has been shown that black chocolate has positive effects on the human circulatory system. Is known to reduce a person's blood pressure, increased dilation of the veins and capillaries, and has also been shown to reduce a person's risk of infection.
Increased Brain function
Chocolate popcorn and other variations of the processed cacao beans are known to be nootropic - medicines for memory / Brain power. Because it is a stimulant, cocoa helps speed up the brain and allows the brain to capture and process more information quickly and more efficiently. It does so, by increasing the oxygen supply to the brain of the person and also increases the available quantity of neurochemicals in the brain. Because of this, chocolate popcorn, is a perfect snack for people who need a little pick me up. It also makes a perfect little snack for those who want more memory, cognition, intelligence, motivation, attention, and concentration.
Chocolate ala Popcorn is not only a tasty snack, it can be a healthy alternative to many other high-fat snack options out there. Chocolate is romantic, good for the circulation and healthy for your brain.
Kent Arett writes for the chocolate popcorn experts at The Big Popper. The specialty popcorn retailer offers gourmet flavored popcorn in their Branson, MO, store and through their website.
Big Bang with No Brain on Kim Jung Euns Chocolate (2009-09-17)
The benefits of black Chocolate have been reported in many scientific journals in recent years. One was the study of Grassi, Lippi Necozione, and Desideri in the region of America Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2005. These researchers found that dark chocolate reduced blood pressure and had a positive impact on the sensitivity to insulin in healthy people.
Dark chocolate provides Health benefits because of the flavonoids found in cocoa. These benefits were first noticed in the Kuna Indian population living in the San Blas Islands off the coast of Panama. This town has a very low incidence of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. They also consume large amounts of cocoa-rich beverages. This led researchers to study the link between cocoa and health. They found clear links between the cocoa and low incidence of certain diseases.
The flavonoids in cocoa act as antioxidants when eaten. These flavonoids protect blood vessels undergoing oxidation changes that lead to certain diseases. The result is stronger capillaries and other connective tissues that leads to improved health and wellness.
While medical science did not know about the flavonoids for centuries, that there were health benefits of black chocolate was evident. Historical documents have been uncovered that relate to medicinal use of chocolate in the treatment of diseases such as angina and heart pain.
Evolutionary-wise many plants are protected from microbes and insects by their flavonoids. For humans, these antioxidants, when ingested, trigger the production of natural surges of enzymes that protect us from disease in a similar ways as plants do that contain them.
What are some foods rich in flavonoids?
There are many health benefits from eating even small amounts of these nutrient. A well balanced diet that is adequate in fruits, vegetables, nuts, and even some dark chocolate provide sufficient levels of these anti-aging and disease preventing antioxidants.
What are some health benefits?
Before you stock up on chocolate bars there are some important facts to consider:
The role of flavonoid-rich foods in preventing disease and maintaining health and well-being is being heavily researched by scientists. Try to keep informed of these and other advances in health and welfare today.
Dr. Steve Tuggle is a practicing dentist, certified personal trainer (ACE, ACSM), certified wellness coach, and life coach. You can learn more about belly fat and how it affects your health and wellness at http://www.elite-wellness-coaching.com
Healthy Chocolate, Benefits of Chocolate, Chocolate health
Medical science tells us that eating dark Chocolate is actually heart healthy. How is this possible? So far, I've always thought that chocolate was bad for us!
It turns out that dark chocolate from cocoa, in its natural state, contains high amounts of flavonoids and phytochemicals. These are the antioxidants found on nutritious foods such as raisins, prunes, acai berries and blueberries.
Cocoa, in its original form, has an incredibly high amount of these antioxidants and science has found a way to cold pressure cocoa and keep these nutrients.
This isn't just propaganda by chocolate manufacturers. Here are the results of the four scientific studies, placebo-controlled, recently conducted by doctors and universities around the world, to show that we can eat dark chocolate for healthy hearts reasons without any guilt.
If you are pregnant or know someone who is, take into account that blood pressure increases during pregnancy. A little dark chocolate during pregnancy is a good thing, because it can help regulate blood pressure.
Dark cocoa drinks had the same effect as eating dark chocolate, opening a world of possibilities. You can get your healthy cocoa in many ways, both beverages and snacks.
An excellent way to get your dose of dark chocolate plus the benefits of resveratrol and green tea is to drink a glass of Cocopure everyday.
About the Author:
To learn more about dark chocolate for heart health, please visit Richard's Healthy Chocolate website. Author: Richard is passionate about sharing health and wellness with others. He also devotes the time, energy, and effort into his team and works with them to ensure their success.
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Dark Chocolate for Heart Health
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