Ain't That Sweet!

According to Sora Song, from chocolateinfo.com, new research shows the hidden benefits of eating dark chocolate.  Medical science has cooked up two sweet reasons to eat chocolate, as long as it's dark chocolate. Two small studies suggest that dark chocolate may offer such benefits as lower blood pressure and higher levels of disease and age-defying chemicals called antioxidants.  As if you needed and excuse.  I know I don't need any excuses.

Researchers have long known that cocoa beans contain a class of chemicals called flavonoids, which are also found in fruits, vegetables, tea, and red wine.  Previous studies suggest that flavonoids raise levels of HDL cholesterol (the good kind) and act as potent antioxidants, protecting cells from free-radical damage, which can contribute to aging, heart disease, and certain cancers.

The plain truth is that chocolate's antioxidants and flavonoids are also found in more healthful packages, like fruits and vegetables, that offer nutrients, vitamins and fiber, none of which are in chocolate.  Modertion, as always, is the key.  "You shoudl not think that by gorging yourself on chocolate, you're going to be doing yourself any good," says Alan Crozier of the University of Glasgow. "But if you like chocolate anyway, make it dark chocolate, and it could well be healthy."

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