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Saturday, January 17, 2009

Maintain A Healthier Lifestyle By Consuming Dark Cocoa

By Chris Channing

It's no secret that chocolate is a favorite among just about everyone imaginable. But the real kicker is that cocoa is now being said to be incredibly beneficial to one's health if used properly. This new look at a stress-relieving creature comfort is now the perfect excuse to indulge in a little guilty cocoa enjoyment.

There has been a recent craze with antioxidants, which are found in green tea, wine, and other different types of healthy drinks and foods. Researchers were surprised to find that even a cup of hot cocoa has been proven to be filled with antioxidants that help the body's immune system and different functions. In addition, dark cocoa has been able to lower cholesterol and even has been linked to lower the risk of the cancer.

It's important to make the distinction between cocoa and chocolate. In the example of hot cocoa, the hot cocoa is actually made of cocoa powder while the hot chocolate is made up of chocolate bars that carry much more saturated fat. This means that the average candy bar won't likely help out too much, but a piece of dark cocoa chocolate will do wonders.

Lately it has been made apparent that stress has become a problem in the average life of a consumer. Even moderate expsoure to stress over an extended period of time can result in illness, since stress causes a reduction in the strength of the immune system. Since chocolate has been known to reduce stress levels, taking a break with a piece of dark chocolate might just prevent a doctor bill down the road.

When looking for the right type of chocolate bar or confection to consume on a periodic basis, there are several things to keep in mind. The darker the chocolate, the better- this usually means more cocoa and less saturated fat. Sugar and fat are hindering regular chocolate from being the same hero as cocoa, so stay away from them where possible. Some also prefer to buy organic chocolate bars- which may be more expensive but free of any extra unnecessary products.

Studies show that not a lot of cocoa is needed each day to get the benefits it offers. On average, a cup of hot cocoa is enough each day to get the benefit described. This equates to about two ounces of dark chocolate, but as few candy bars come in this size, try to span the consumption of the dark chocolate over a few days if need be.

In Conclusion

Chocolate is quite the hero when it comes down to it- so long as the right kind is obtained. If you have any further questions about chocolate, schedule an appointment with a nutritionist who can go over the facts in detail.

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