With new research on the health benefits of dark chocolate, many name brand chocolates are trying to position themselves as healthy, when they don't really offer you any health benefits whatsoever. To identify brands of truly healthy chocolate, you must know what substances in chocolate contain the health value. For example, studies have shown that flavonoids, which are found in dark chocolate, may help to lower blood pressure. But the levels of flavonoids in chocolate depend entirely on how it's processed. Often, milk chocolate, due to its greater processing, has fewer flavonoids than dark chocolate. Typically, the higher the percentage of cocoa found in the chocolate, the more flavonoids (and other healthy substances) it contains.
While healthy, organic, raw or minimally-processed chocolates are not yet the mainstream, they are becoming widely available and recognized as a delicious and responsible choice. A healthy chocolate should contain cacao content of 70% or greater. Chocolates containing less have more fillers, more fat and fewer (if any) health benefits. It's important to read the labels. Just because chocolate is dark, doesn't necessarily mean it offers any health benefits.
The following chocolate brands have been celebrated for their unique tastes, health benefits and strong ethical commitments.
Divine is a farmer-owned company with sustainable development efforts in many countries. The fair-trade Divine Dark Mini Bars are the perfect chocolate treat and contain 70% cacao.
Dagoba makes an award-winning dark chocolate bar that includes chiles, nibs and is 74% cacao. They have coined the term "Full Circle Sustainability" to describe their commitments to ethics and social responsibility.
Equal Exchange makes organic chocolate bars with up to 80% cacao that are vegan, gluten-free and contain no refined sugars. They work with fair trade cooperatives and farmers across the world.
Ignafire produces natural chocolate with no commercial processing or industrial equipment. They're vegan-friendly and low in sugar. Some are subtly flavored with cinnamon, roasted coffee beans or crushed almonds.
Theo uses green energy sources to power their factory along with sustainable packaging and printing methods. Try their fair-trade certified blend that combines chocolate from Ghana, Panama and Ecuador.
All of the above brands offer mail order as in addition to being found in health food stores and larger chains such as Whole Foods and Trader Joes. Learn more about the health benefits of chocolate.
Read our article on the uses of different chocolates in candies, bars, cake decorating and more.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sarita_Haines
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There is one chocolate out there that is truly healthy and it is because of the patented processing used. The chocolate is never heated, alkalized or lethinized. A cold press type technique is used. Then to sweeten and counter the natural bitterness of unprocessed cocao the company adds acai and blueberries. There is no added fats, milk, trans fats, caffiene, fillers, waxes or processed sugars. The product is called Xocai (www.TopChocolateBiz.com).
ReplyDeleteMany studies confirm the health benefits of dark chocolate but all have a caveat that what was available in over the counter chocolate, with the processing, added sugars, caffiene, fillers and fats that is probably negates the health benefits. Until this patented processing was created and help to retain the extraordinary levels of antioxidants found in UNPROCESSES COCOA. Processing has been shown to destroy 50% or more of the antioxidants found in cocoa.
Labeling with 70-80% cocoa does not indicate the antioxidant levels. It only indicates how much cocoa was used. If processed then much of the antioxidants are lost. Antioxidants are measured by ORAC scores that have been established by an independent lab called Brunswick. They will certify the products ORAC score after it is packaged for consumption. It is a measurement of the foods ability to rid the body of "free radicals". Free radicals are directly tied to over 200 degenerative diseases. All of Xocai's products have a Brunswick certification label and state the ORAC score right on the packaging. Even the amount of Flavanoids is listed.
Optimally we need to consume over 10,000 ORAC a day. The average American gets less than 1,000 ORAC a day. So, 3 pieces of Xocai a day will provide 10-15,000 ORAC with a caloric intake of 100-175 calories depending on the product chosen to consume three times a day. Enjoy and be healthy!
Dr. Tim Driscoll
http://topchocolatebiz.blogspot.com/