- Image by TCL 1961 via Flickr
Yes, its every chocoholics wildest dream - to wake up one morning and discover that their addiction is actually good for them! Finally, health experts are starting to agree with what chocolate addicts have suggested for some time, that eating the right type of chocolate in moderation really can be good for your health.
Historically, back in the times of the Aztecs, it’s been viewed as an aphrodisiac and it was valued to highly that cocoa beans were even used as currency. Unfortunately, until the late eighteenth century, chocolate was only available as a fairly bitter drink, not something today’s addicts would probably approve of. Thanks to the Swiss company, Lindt, who first used conching to create a really smooth melting chocolate, we can now enjoy the kind of smooth tasting flavour we know today.
As it contains small amounts of flavonoids, antioxidants, theobromine and phylethylamine (PEA), all of which can have a beneficial effect.
Flavonoids which naturally occur in the cocoa plant are though to help lower blood pressure. Theobromine is a stimulant, with similar, but less powerful effect to caffeine. Phylethylamine (PEA) is a mood elevator, hence chocolates association with love and romance, as it can give a lift similar to that of being in love. Antioxidants can help minimize the damage done to our body by free radicals.
Studies by the University of L’Aquila showed that eating dark chocolate (70% or more) could help control type 2 diabetes and reduce blood pressure. Other research has shown that regular eating of it can benefit the cardiovascular system. One Harvard study showed that eaters live longer, up to one year longer than non-choc eaters. The best results were shown for those who ate 1-3 bars of chocolate per month.
Before you start changing to a 100% choc diet, it’s important to remember that it also contains fats and sugars, so should only be eaten in moderation.
Beware eating too much milk or white chocolate as these are full of added sugar and milk, with greater risk to health and far reduced health benefits. The chocolate which has been shown to have most benefits is dark (or plain, black) chocolate, with over 70% cocoa content. Top selling brands include Lindt, Divine and Green & Blacks.
Good news for those on a dairy free diet, is that they can indulge in dark chocolate, as it contains no milk. Make sure you choose bars with 70% minimum! Unlike some milk chocolates, dark chocolates have a stronger taste, wonderful slowly melting on the tongue.
So, how to include the right amount in your diet without overdoing it? Have a square of dark chocolate for dessert instead of your usual pudding or sweet. Enjoy hand made truffles for special occasions or give as gifts to health conscious friends.
You may have to adapt your eating habits - but the good news is that eating the right type of chocolate is now good for you and you can indulge in your favorite food guilt free!
Jen Carter runs the Diabetia website which offers healthy diabetic recipes. For type 1 diabetics. Her daughter, Alissa, also writes articles on managing your diabetic diet on the Diabetia website.
Chocolate lovers know that easily the best way to please someone dear to you is to make him a Romantic Dinner. We’ve gone one better and prepared a special collection of Romantic Dinners.
See pictures of recipes and other details at
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