DARK CHOCOLATE
Eating a little dark chocolate daily is good for you. Eating dark chocolate lowers blood pressure, which lowers risks of heart attacks, strokes, colon cancer and enhances glucose metabolism, which inhibits blood sugar issues to help prevent diabetes and obesity. Studies have shown dark chocolate contains serotonin and increases endorphin production, acts as a natural anti-depressant, improves brain function and eases PMS issues.
Normally, the darker the chocolate the less sugar, milk, and other undesirable ingredients it contains. A 70% to 90% cacao content is best. Dr. Debra Miller's was quoted in Chemistry Central Journal, "Cacao seeds are a 'Super Fruit' providing nutritive value beyond that of their macronutrient composition."
The fat in chocolate does little to raise cholesterol. It contains abundant oleic acid, the type of fatty acid found in olive oil, which helps prevent heart disease and promotes antioxidant activity. A study of almost 20,000 participants in Germany concluded that those who ate 7.5 grams of dark chocolate a day received most of the heart protection benefits of chocolate.
A little treat, like a square or two daily, of semi-sweet or bitter chocolate, actually supports good health. The more bitter the better. Organic dark chocolate bars are usually 100 grams, 7.5 grams of dark chocolate a day is all that is required.
Sources for this article include:
(1) http://www.naturalnews.com/031959_dark_chocolate_antioxidants.html
(2) http://www.naturalnews.com
(3) http://greenqueen.wordpress.com
(4) http://www.laurelonhealthfood.com
(5) http://www.naturalnews.com/035035_dark_chocolate_health_benefits_cacao.HTML#ixzz1n7S0KCsL