Chocolate may protect the brain from stroke (and this time it's the milk variety)

By Daily Mail Reporter

Eating chocolate may reduce the long term risk of stroke, research has shown.
Men who consumed moderate amounts of chocolate each week were less likely to suffer a stroke over a period of 10 years than those who ate none.

The difference was small, but significant. Study participants who ate the most chocolate, equivalent to about one third of a cup of chocolate chips, reduced their stroke risk by 17 per cent. A total of 37,103 Swedish men aged 49 to 75 took part in the study.

Their diets were assessed with food questionnaires, which asked how often they ate chocolate. The men's progress was then followed for 10 years, during which researchers recorded 1,995 cases of a first stroke.

Previous studies have shown that chocolate may help prevent diabetes, control blood pressure, and protect against heart disease. Healthy antioxidant plant chemicals called flavonoids are thought to explain the health benefits.

Dr Susanna Larsson, from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, who led the latest research, reported in the journal Neurology, said: 'The beneficial effect of chocolate consumption on stroke may be related to the flavonoids in chocolate.

'Flavonoids appear to be protective against cardiovascular disease through antioxidant, anti-clotting and anti-inflammatory properties. It's also possible that flavonoids in chocolate may decrease blood concentrations of bad cholesterol and reduce blood pressure.

 

'Interestingly, dark chocolate has previously been associated with heart health benefits, but about 90 per cent of the chocolate intake in Sweden, including what was consumed in our study, is milk chocolate.'

The men who ate the largest quantities consumed a modest 63g of chocolate per week. This is about a third of a cup-full of chocolate chips, or just a little more than a Mars bar which weighs 58 grams.

Put into context, the 17 per cent risk reduction amounted to 12 fewer strokes per 10,000 participants over 10 years, or 100,000 "person years".

The research was followed up by a larger analysis of data from five studies in Europe and the US that included 4,260 stroke cases. This showed that people eating the most chocolate were 19 per cent less likely to have a stroke than those consuming the least.
For every increase in chocolate consumption of about 50 grams per week, stroke risk decreased by about 14 per cent.

In their paper, the scientists said further studies were needed before any recommendations could be given about chocolate consumption. They added: 'Because chocolate is high in sugar, saturated fat, and calories, it should be consumed in moderation.'

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2195703/Chocolate-protect-brain-stroke.html#ixzz25YUXazKM

Love chocolate? That may be good news for your waistline

LESLIE BECK

Most people trying to manage their weight don’t eat chocolate on a regular basis for fear of consuming too many calories, not to mention excess fat and sugar.

But new study findings published earlier this week in the Archives of Internal Medicine, suggest you don’t have to ditch chocolate from your diet. According to the researchers, frequent chocolate eaters actually weigh less – not more – than people who seldom eat it.

Chocolate, in particular dark chocolate, has previously been linked to a lower blood pressure and cholesterol level. Regular chocolate consumption has also been shown to improve how the body uses insulin, the hormone that sends glucose (sugar) from the bloodstream into cells where it’s used for energy.

High blood pressure and elevated blood glucose are two features of metabolic syndrome, a disorder believed to double the risk of heart attack and increase the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes by fivefold.

Having a large waist circumference is another part of the metabolic-syndrome picture.
For the study, researchers from the University of California in San Diego wanted to find out if the benefits of chocolate also extended to reducing body fat, offsetting its extra calories.

They obtained dietary data from 1,018 healthy men and women, average age 57. Participants were also asked how many times per week they ate chocolate. Body weight and height were measured to determine each participant’s body mass index (BMI).

BMI is calculated by dividing a person’s weight (in kilograms) by his height (in metres squared). BMI values from 18.5 to 24.9 are defined as normal weight and linked with a lower risk of health problems.
Adults who ate chocolate more frequently had a lower BMI than those who consumed it less often, despite eating more overall calories. In fact, BMI was one point lower among people who indulged five times a week compared to not at all. One point on the BMI scale translates to seven pounds if you’re 5 foot 10, or a five pound difference if you’re 5 foot 3.

The lower BMI of the frequent chocolate eaters was not explained by exercise nor did they appear to have a healthier diet. They didn’t exercise any more or any less than non-chocolate eaters and they didn’t eat more fruits and vegetables, one indication of a healthier diet.

Dark chocolate’s potential health effects are thought to be due to flavonoids, natural compounds in cocoa beans, which give dark chocolate its bittersweet taste. The more chocolate is processed and the less cocoa it contains, the fewer the flavonoids. Dark chocolate has a high concentration of flavonoids, milk chocolate contains fewer because it’s diluted with milk, and white chocolate contains none.

Researchers suspect that one flavonoid in chocolate called epicatechin may help explain the lower body weight finding. In animals, epicatechin has been shown to boost metabolism, increase muscle mass and reduce weight without changing calories or exercise.

In other words, these findings suggest the quality – rather than just the amount – of calories may impact body weight, an interesting concept but certainly one that has not been proven. Calories do matter when it comes to weight control.

Flavonoids do have beneficial heart effects: They inhibit blood-clot formation, help blood vessels relax, and slow the oxidation of LDL cholesterol (oxidized LDL cholesterol is thought to be a more dangerous form of cholesterol).

If you love chocolate, the findings from this week’s study may seem like good news. But they don’t mean you can eat as much chocolate as you want. The researcher, Dr. Beatrice Golomb, told me her analysis hinted that the more chocolate eaten at one occasion had less favourable effects on body weight.

Nor do these findings mean eating chocolate will help you lose weight. They are simply a correlation and don’t prove cause and effect.

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Chocolate healthier than fruit juices

Chocolate is healthier than many fruit juices and is a `superfood` in its own right, says a new study conducted by a US-based chocolate company.

Superfoods are high in anti-oxidants and compounds that help prevent damage to healthy cells.

Researchers from the Hershey Centre for Health & Nutrition in the US found that powdered dark chocolate had more anti-oxidants and polyphenols, believed to protect us from cancer and cardiac conditions, the Chemistry Central Journal reports.

They compared single servings of dark chocolate, cocoa, and hot chocolate mix with fruit juices including acai berries, cranberries and pomegranates, according to a Hershey statement.

The research showed that both dark chocolate and cocoa had more antioxidant activity and more flavonols than fruit. Debra Millar, who led the study, said chocolate should be labelled a "superfruit".

ANI

Source

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Bittersweet story of chocolate

Dark Chocolate And Parmesan: A Scientific Pairing

Some food pairings inherently don't go together, like pickles and ice cream (yuck!). But other foods, even if they sound weird at first, do go together -- like dark chocolate and Parmesan cheese. Whether you believe it or not, these two ingredients have actually been scientifically proven to pair perfectly.

This food pairing isn't just hit or miss or a guesstimation -- it's actually been studied and analyzed by scientists in a laboratory. The goal of the Foodpairing method is to chart all possible food pairings to help chefs and restaurant professionals create unique dishes. Each ingredient's volatile compounds (aromas) are quantified using gas chromatography and/or a mass spectrometer. The concentrations are then compared with their respective flavor threshold and finally matched with other ingredients that have similar compounds. So you end up with oddball pairings like caviar and white chocolate (invented by chef Heston Blumenthal), or in this case, dark chocolate and Parmesan cheese.



We decided to take up the challenge of pairing chocolate and Parmesan cheese in a grilled cheese sandwich. The salty and savory (umami) flavor of Parmesan cheese pairs exceptionally well with the depth of flavor in dark chocolate. The chocolate actually brings out fruity, tart notes in the cheese. According to the Foodpairing tree for Parmesan cheese (pictured above), the best chocolates to pair include dark chocolate (64%), milk chocolate (43%) and white chocolate (31%). Stick to these recommendations for the best results, though it's fine if you don't go by the specific chocolate origin as the chart suggests. Once you try our recipe (see below in the slideshow), you'll see for yourself just how amazing -- and savory -- the combination is. We'd recommend serving it with a nice red wine next time you have a few guests over.

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Bittersweet story of chocolate

Dark chocolate eases PMS symptoms

Due to a monthly drop in estrogen and progesterone that procedes during periods, most of us get to experience these not-so-fun and disruptive symptoms.
These hormonal changes create a domino effect which results in yet another temporary drop in the "feel good" hormone serotonin as well as other endorphins.

Feeling irritated, depressed and tired are some of the common symptoms of PMS. These symptoms can last from three to seven days. While it may sound unpleasant, there are ways to alleviate your PMS symptoms.

Berries, calcium, vitamin E & B6 and magnesium are some elements that can help minimise the symptoms of PMS. Chocolate works wonders! Dark chocolate is known to contain magnesium and mood boosting omega 3 and 6 fatty acids that contains less sugar and no milk.

While PMSing, make sure to avoid foods that contain sugar, salt or caffeine. These foods lead to bloating, irritability, anxiety and depression which are associated with PMS.

Exercise is important too. Try and do moderate exercise, about 30 minutes of walking to lighten your mood and feel energetic.

Source

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Give the gift of good health

This week marks the last dash of the holiday season, when the final presents are plucked off store shelves for safe keeping under the tree. (A gentle nudge to holiday procrastinators -- if you haven't started your shopping, now might be a good time to get moving.)
If Santa's elves have already done the heavy lifting on your Christmas list, maybe it's time to think about stocking stuffers -- those pint-size, portable presents that are something of an exclamation point to your declaration of holiday sentiment. The great thing about these gifts is that they don't have to cost much to leave a big impact.
Here are 20 ideas for stocking stuffers to encourage a year of physical activity, good eating and less stress. After all, there's no better gift than good health.

1. Dark chocolate

Here's the skinny on dark chocolate -- it's been touted for boosting mood, lowering blood pressure and improving cardiovascular health. Credit the main ingredient, cocoa, which is the source of good-for-you flavonoids that provide the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect.
But quality and quantity are two important considerations. Milk chocolate, in addition to having more sugar and less fiber than dark chocolate, is made with less cocoa so it doesn't convey the same benefits. Instead, look for dark chocolate that's made with at least 70 percent cocoa. Also, keep in mind that dark chocolate is still high in saturated fat -- although it doesn't appear to raise bad LDL cholesterol levels -- and calories.

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Blue Velvet, Chocolate shrimps star at Taiwan expo

Weight Loss with Antioxidant Rich Dark Chocolate Keeps Dieters From Falling Off Their Diets

(PRWEB) October 08, 2011

True Healthy Products teams up with an internationally recognized expert in the field of alternative medicine focusing on diet and nutrition, Dr. Keith Scott-Mumby, and create what is now called the Simple Chocolate Diet.

"Chocolate is made from the beans of the cacao tree, Theobroma Cacao," says Scott-Mumby. He explains that plant flavanoids are commonly known for their antioxidant activity. "A small bar of chocolate can contain as many flavanoids as six apples, as four and a half cups of tea or two glasses of red wine."

He developed The Doctor's Chocolate to utilize the great benefits of chocolate without the unhealthy ingredients that are often included in the common bar. This healthy chocolate promotes weight loss when combined with the Simple Chocolate Diet Eating plan. Eating just one to three pieces can suppress your appetite enough that you will not crave junk food.

Charlotte Palmer started dieting with her husband. She decided that The Doctor's Chocolate was going to be a treat that she could eat that would help her suppress her appetite. After four months she lost 50 pounds and is continuing to follow her diet.

The Simple Chocolate Diet is a sensible and nutritious eating plan that allows you to eat nutritious healthy dark chocolate along with a flexible and healthy eating plan. We designed The Simple Chocolate Diet so it can lead to healthy weight loss and long term health. This program is simple and easy for anyone to implement. The diet plan is free and can be found at www.simplechocolatediet.com.

The Doctor's Chocolate is a mere 20 calories per piece, is diabetic safe and because it is not weighed down with all the sugars and milk that processed chocolate is famous for, it actually is metabolized slowly and leaves you feeling satisfied after only a couple of pieces.

The Doctors Chocolate is also part of Fat Release System HCG Diet Plan Offered by True Healthy Products. The Chocolate Combined with HCG makes this HCG Diet different from others and having the Simple Chocolate Diet is a simple solution for a long term healthy eating plan.

True Healthy Products is an all natural nutrition company offering a wide range of products from Healthy Dark Chocolate HCG Diet Programs, all natural sports nutrition products, organic skin care and whole food vitamin supplements.

To learn more about the Simple Chocolate Diet and other nutritional products that are all natural and truly good for you, visit: www.truehealthyproducts.com

Toll Free: 888-400-2920
Email: support(at)truehealthyproducts(dot)com
2460 N Courtenay Parkway, #210
Merritt Island, FL 32953
USA


Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2011/10/08/prweb8862662.DTL#ixzz1aFdrDu33

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Can Chocolate Help Prevent Sunburns?

A dark-chocolate fix after some dark times

By Joe Mandak

Associated Press

ALTOONA, Pa. - In the last 10 years, Boyer Candy Co. has survived the death of its owner, a legal squabble among his heirs that halted production for nine months, and distribution hiccups as the firm regained its footing. Which might well have left customers wondering, "Do they still make Mallo Cups?"
They do, indeed.

This month, Boyer set about reminding folks by launching a new product, Dark Chocolate Mallo Cups, it hopes will help reestablish its reputation.

"We've been around since 1936," said Deborah Forgione, director of marketing and one of four trustees who control Boyer, once owned by her late ex-husband. "... We're an old-fashioned, family-owned company, and we don't change that quickly. This is a big undertaking for us."

Industry observers say the move makes sense for a smaller company safeguarding its niche in a field dominated by Hershey, Nestle, and Mars.

"I love it when these regional brands sort of stay true to their original heritage but keep on keeping on, you know?" said Beth Kimmerle, a candy historian and blogger who develops candy exhibits in the United States, Japan, and elsewhere.

The original Mallo Cups, coconut-laced milk chocolate cups filled with a marshmallow center, were invented by Emily Boyer, mother of R.J. "Bob" and William "Bill" Boyer, who sold candy door to door during the Depression.

Distributed nationwide, Mallo Cups account for more than 60 percent of sales at Boyer, which also makes its own Peanut Butter Cups, among other products.

Steve Almond, author of Candyfreak: A Journey Through the Chocolate Underbelly of America, said Dark Chocolate Mallo Cups made sense, as long as the company harbored no illusions they would be Boyer's salvation.

"What Boyer is doing is called a brand extension," he said. "You want to try to expand your business, but in order to do that, you have to have something new to sell."

That's a bigger risk for smaller companies with little advertising clout and more to lose if the new product tanks. Except that Boyer officials believe the new version may be even better than the original.

"It's an exceptionally good taste, with the dark chocolate and the Mallo center," said Bob Faith, an ex-vending company owner hired three years ago as CEO to reinvigorate Boyer after years of turmoil.

The Boyer brothers retired in 1969 and sold the company to American Maize Products, a corn-syrup manufacturer that expanded Boyer's line in the 1970s with varieties including the Minty Mallo.

The new products never caught on, and American Maize sold Boyer in 1984 to Anthony Forgione, a New York entrepreneur who stabilized the company by focusing on its core candies.

His 2001 death almost toppled Boyer, however. His divorce from Deborah Forgione, made final days before he died, set off a legal battle for control between her and two of their three children.

A trust controlled by Deborah and the three children now owns the company, but management instability during the court battles shut privately held Boyer down for most of 2003, and saw Mallo Cups lose coveted space on many store shelves.

Much of Faith's job is undoing that damage. "If you cut off the supply, they're not sitting there waiting for you to come back," he said of retailers. "It's taken time to get people's confidence."

Some problems were easy to fix. Before he ran Boyer, Faith said, his vending company had trouble buying Mallo Cups because of Boyer's antiquated 1,000-pound minimum-order requirement.

That's changed. "We'll find a way to sell you our product," he said. "We'll sell to anybody: the little guys, the big guys, the middle guys."

After revamping its machinery and improving its methods, the factory now produces about 600,000 candy cups a day - about double a year ago, Faith said. And most of Boyer's 70 employees, lucky to work a couple of days not so long ago, are now working full time, with the candy line running four days a week.
"There's still a lot of name recognition out there," Faith said, "and you can't put a value on that."

Read more: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/business/20101127_A_dark-chocolate_fix_after_some_dark_times.html#ixzz16jUQIWRG
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How to Choose the Perfect Chocolate

Chocolate makes a perfect gift, for almost any occasion. Chocolate is considered an aphrodisiac in some cultures, and there are very few people that don't appreciate the chance to indulge in this popular, creamy confection. When you are choosing the perfect chocolate for your friend, family member, or loved one, there are just a few things to pay attention to.

What is Chocolate?

Chocolate has been around for centuries, and was originally used by South American Indians as a stimulating drink. When the Spanish arrived, they realized that, by mixing the substance with sugar, the flavor was greatly improved. Upon bringing the beans to Europe, a more sophisticated process was developed to separate the cocoa solids from the cocoa butter. Chocolate connoisseurs also developed methods to add the creaminess that is recognized as modern chocolate. Today, both milk and dark chocolate use the cocoa solids and cocoa butter in the manufacturing process, while white chocolate takes the cocoa butter and flavors it independently of the cocoa solids.

Quality is Important

The biggest factor for determining how suitable a particular chocolate will be for gifting is quality. There are several factors that go into determining the quality of a chocolate. First, the tempering process needs to have been done correctly. Otherwise, your chocolate will be grainy or have the wrong texture. It is also important that the beans were roasted to the optimal level. Beans that are over roasted can leave a bitter flavor. Finally, the cocoa butter to cocoa solid ratio should be correct for the particular type of chocolate that you prefer.

Low quality chocolate is a poor choice for a gift, so buy the best that you can afford.

White, Milk, or Dark?

Each person has their own preference when it comes to chocolate. Some people can not stand the strong flavor of dark chocolate, while others equally can't stand to indulge in the more mild flavor of milk chocolate. In rare instances, your gift recipient may not enjoy the flavor of cocoa at all. In that case, you will probably be looking at white chocolates to meet their needs. Some people might appreciate a mix of all three choices, if they don't have a specific preference. If you aren't sure as to their tastes, select milk chocolate, as it is generally universally liked.

Chocolates for Gifts

There are several types of chocolate that are ideal for gift giving. First, chocolate bars can make an excellent gift, if you pay attention to both quality and presentation. Chocolate bars can be personalized and wrapped in pretty papers for gifts. Truffles are another fantastic choice when you are giving chocolate as a gift. Truffles are a luxurious type of chocolate, both rich and sophisticated. Chocolate candies are another fantastic choice. Consider chocolate turtles, chocolate caramels, or chocolate covered nuts.

Gift baskets

If you need a bit more hand holding to purchase your gift, or just need a pre-selected variety, the best idea is to purchase a gift basket. These baskets can be purchased with an already determined selection, or you can custom pack a gift basket to fit your loved one's personality.

You can find plenty of places to find gift baskets, including http://www.indulgeinchocolate.com. Online retailers also sell individual chocolates that are ideal for gifts.

Ryan Wilson
To see our excellent selection of chocolates, please visit our website: http://www.indulgeinchocolate.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ryan_C_Wilson 


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Chocolate Gifts

If there is one reason to celebrate chocolates, other than the fact it is delicious, it is that there has been lots of evidence to find that good quality chocolates have health benefits. For many people it is one of life's greatest pleasures. More of these benefits were found in dark chocolates.

In fact, dark chocolate has more of these flavonoids than other kind of food. The amount of these flavonoids increases along with the quality of the chocolate. Researchers have found that these flavonoids in quality dark chocolate improve a blood vessels ability to dilate, or open up. They have been found to decrease LDL cholesterol, inhibit aggregation of blood platelets (which leads to blood clots that produce heart attacks and strokes) and to decrease the body's inflammatory immune response (which can lead to clogged arteries).
So, what better reason than these to give chocolate gifts than these? Chocolate gifts are truly good for you!! Your only problem now is what kind of chocolate gifts to give to the important people in your life, along with yourself.

Chocolate truffles are a guilty pleasure for many people. Chocolate truffles, for those unaware, are a type of chocolate candy that is made with a chocolate ganache center that is covered in chocolate or cocoa powder. Sometimes the fillings are other ingredients also such as caramel, nuts, fudge, min, marshmallow or liquor. Any and all of them make the chocolate truffles all that much more delicious.

So give chocolates as a gift for the holiday season, or for someone's birthday. Really give chocolate for any reason, it is good for you and has health benefits. What better reason?

For more detailed information, visit http://www.ameliechocolat.co.uk/.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tom_Peter_Adams 

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Dark Chocolate Smoothie Recipe

Dark chocolate smoothies taste like dessert for breakfast! Add dark chocolate cocoa powder to your healthy smoothie recipe in the morning for an unbelievable burst of rich chocolate yummy flavor. This is the ultimate in that decadent -you won't believe it's sooo good for you flavor! Dark chocolate cocoa powder is so healthy because it's high in polyphenol content, which means it has antioxidant power! It's also high in vitamins. This chocolate is a bit bitter, so the base of the smoothie should be either vanilla flavored yogurt and vanilla almond milk with some agave syrup or honey. Adjust the sweetener according to your desired level.

Chocolate comes from the cacao bean. This bean contains antibacterial agents that fight against tooth decay and help boost your immune system. These agents are diminished once sugar and milk are added to the chocolate to create milk chocolate. Cocao also contains phenyl ethylamine which enhances endorphins and gives you that happy feeling. Researchers have found that the mere smell of chocolate increases theta brain waves inducing relaxation. People who eat dark chocolate are also said to live a year longer -perhaps because of the antioxidant effects or maybe just because they are happier!

Smoothies are a great way to sneak in protein and extra vitamins and minerals into your kid's breakfast or snack. Great additions for smoothies are protein powder, bee pollen, lecithin granules and brewers yeast. Go easy on the brewer's yeast because it has a bitter taste the kids will taste!


Rae Haining writes about the benefits of dark chocolate and healthy smoothie recipes at her website FillingLowCalorieFoods.com.


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Antioxidants Found in Chocolate

For the past decades, many proven scientific studies have shown that chocolate antioxidants are beneficial to our health and body. It has been known for a fact that the antioxidants present in chocolates, particularly dark chocolates, are potent source of antioxidants that destroys free radicals in our system. Chocolate antioxidants are primarily responsible for fighting these highly unstable and destructive molecules thereby maintaining a balance in our system to prevent occurrence of deadly diseases such as cancer, heart disease and hypertension, to name a few. Generally, chocolate antioxidants are rich in flavorous that arrest oxidation processes in our system and therefore preventing damage in our body.

Another classic benefit that these antioxidants bring in our health is that it effectively strengthens our immune system thus enabling our body to defend itself from potentially harmful viral and bacterial infections. Our immune system is our defence system tasked to eliminate destructive molecules and other abnormalities found in our body to keep us to function normally everyday. It is also an established fact that chocolate antioxidants and any other form of antioxidants found in fruits, green tea and red wines for instance, slows down the aging process. Antioxidant is key to longevity as it allows you to stay longer and younger in the pink of health.

A study conducted by the National Institute for Food and Nutrition Research in Rome suggests a proper way of taking in chocolate antioxidants in order to maximize the absorption of antioxidants in our body. The result of the study indicates that eating chocolates, especially dark chocolates, should be eaten not in conjunction with any type of milk or its derivatives as the milk interferes with the body's absorption of chocolate

antioxidants. The subjects who ate pure dark chocolates have shown substantial drop in their blood pressure compared to those who mixed it with milk. Thus, if you are a chocolate lover it is time to change gear and switch to pure dark chocolate for optimum acquisition of chocolate antioxidants.

The best source of chocolate antioxidants comes from cocoa powder as it contains the highest amount of antioxidant capacity. The basic is rule is that the darker the chocolate, the more potent source of chocolate antioxidants it is. The suggested daily intake of dark chocolate based on the study made is 3.5 ounces to get the optimum chocolate antioxidants. Milk chocolates in particular have the least antioxidant properties and this claim was backed by the study mentioned in the preceding paragraph. Further, dark chocolates are known for having less sugar content and good source of cholesterol compared to milk chocolates. For the more health conscious individuals they always ensure that they have the regular source of rich antioxidant supplements. We should also be warned from eating excessive chocolates because they are rich in calories which may lead to obesity if consumption with gusto is not properly observed. To successfully attain a healthy, disease free body, the secret, however, is moderation and balance our diet by eating nutrition-rich vegetables, cereals and fruits.

John Ulonka can often be found sipping a hot cup of espresso at the local beanery. Besides savoring the latest blends, John has a site with reviews of straight blade razor, as well as a review of vintage straight razors.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Ulonka

Dark Chocolate For a Smooth and Delicious Valentine's Day

Valentines Day is here again, and our thoughts are turning to gifts for our loved ones. It's always nice to romantic gifts of Valentine's Day, and there are any number of options available for lovers to choose for their partners. Dark chocolate is a romantic idea, as well as being good for your heart. Chocolate good for you? Really? Here's why.

There are high levels of flavonoids in dark chocolate, along with more antioxidants than in regular milk or white chocolate. These things are well known to help bring down blood pressure and cholesterol, and chocolate also contains tryptophan which aids the brain in the production of serotonin. See? The chocolate can be good for you. However remember that the chocolate isn't health food so do try to enjoy it in moderation.

The best way to choose the right chocolate for Valentine's Day is to try to focus on the quality of it and not the amount you're giving. Dark chocolate should be savoured, not gulped down all at once, which is a good philosophy for Valentine's Day as a whole. Chocolate truffles would be a good idea for Valentine's Day for your partner and yourself and you can savour them together for a rich and decadent Valentines experience.

Try not to get dull and lifeless chocolates, such as a sort of thing you'd find in any supermarket. There are specialist chocolatiers that can offer high quality chocolate which is perfect for this time of year. Once you are aware of the good points of the chocolate then you don't feel quite so guilty about giving the traditional box of chocolate at Valentine's Day.

Despite the fattening aspects and the sugar content, they can certainly help to view and enjoy your time together on this most special of days. There are plenty of other ideal Valentine's Day gift ideas out there, but chocolate will be one of the first that many people will think of, and is certainly one of the most effective traditional Valentine's Day gifts available.


Lucy is a hapless romantic and budding Chick Lit author with a passion for passion! You can easily find more great Valentine's day ideas for gifts and activities online!


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Dark Chocolate is Wonderful Medicine

Dark chocolate is a food with many health benefits. Yes, that's right, a health food. Let me explain the unique properties of dark chocolate and how it can really benefit your health! Now when I speak of dark chocolate, I mean just that, and not other chocolates which are filled with fat and calories. This is real unprocessed chocolate.

Antioxidants are part of healthy chocolate. You need antioxidants to a certain extent in your body to keep optimum health. The main antioxidant I am thinking of here is Cacao. Cacao contains a great number of antioxidants. It is very versatile in that it can lower your blood sugars, helps arthritis since it has an anti-inflammatory effect, and it is also a rich source of magnesium for the body.

The high ORAC score, known as Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity, is what cacao contains. This is what cleans the system of what is known as free radicals. Free radicals are what creates an environment in the body for diseases of many types.

Blood pressure and heart health can also be improved for many people consuming a steady diet of dark chocolate. Your cholesterol health, with a small daily consumption of dark chocolate is likely to improve as well, all due to rich antioxidants from Cacao.

Have depression problems? Chocolate may also help this problem a great deal. How does it help? Well, serotonin release, and endorphins are a response that is triggered from consumption. Serotonin is a brain chemical which plays a big role in our emotions, sleep, and memory. Endorphins are another chemical released from the brain which is our painkiller center. They are also a type of hormonal substance.

And lastly, chocolate can help you to lose unwanted pounds. Consumption of a small amount of chocolate between meals, helps to curb the appetite, and help other food cravings you may have. Thus, overeating is avoided, and likewise your weight is reduced, and therefore, you feel better!

Jennifer Kirkman is the owner of many websites, two of the main ones are http://www.diabetesandrelatedhealthissues.com, and also http://www.dietplansandweightloss.com Visit these sites for much more information on diabetes and diabetes problems, and proper nutrition.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jennifer_Kirkman

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Chocolate Can Be Good For You

Did you know that chocolate can be really good for your health? Yes chocolate is actually healthy for you Scientists have proven. Now I am not talking about eating chocolate in huge amounts here but eating it in regular servings. Chocolate has sugar in it and we all know that too much sugar can cause weight gain.

I am not talking about the cheap chocolate you buy in the stores either. You will want high quality chocolate, chocolate that has not been too refined as this can cause the chocolate to lose the things that make it healthy such as its antioxidants.

Dark chocolate is the healthy stuff and can really help your body. Milk chocolate is sorta watered down if I can say that. Even milk chocolate should have some health benefits but no where near that of the high cocoa chocolate. A study was done at the Journal of the American Heart Association and it was shown that eating dark chocolate can help you lower your blood pressure. Yes chocolate, that wonderful, sweet snack can help your blood pressure out.

Not only that but the same study showed that the people eating the high cocoa chocolate lowered their Cholesterol by 10 points. Now again, this is in the proper serving amount as in not eating a lot of it. Even eating too much fruit can have negative side affects (and we all know what that means) so just consume that wonderful dark chocolate in small portions and enjoy the taste AND the health benefits! Hi, I'm James Winsoar and I have a chocolate business retailing Xocai healthy chocolate. My website address is http://www.buyxocai.co.uk/

Xocai (pronounced Show-Sigh) is the worlds first guilt-free diabetic friendly delicious high antioxidant cold-processed raw cacao delicious decadent Belgian chocolate. It has added Acai berry which is another high antioxidant superfood (recommended by Oprah Winfrey).

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_A_Winsoar

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The Best Dark Chocolate

The best dark chocolate is most certainly debatable in most peoples eyes. As a matter of fact, there are many people who do not even like or enjoy it to begin with. Most prefer the creamy flavored milk chocolate to it and it is those milk chocolate candy bars that have been the largest sellers for years. However, this type of chocolate has has an enormous resurgence in popularity in recent days and this is probably attributed to the fact that it has been documented to have some relatively good health benefits. And, it is not any particular dark chocolate brand that is better than any of the others.

It is now that many primarily milk chocolate Therefore, lets explore some of the best which is offered and discuss some specifics about each of the brands that we cover. But, before we do, lets explain exactly what the difference is between dark chocolate and milk chocolate.

The only difference between the two is that in milk chocolate, milk, milk powder, or condensed milk is added to give it that creamy taste. Dark chocolate only has fat and sugar added to it. It is the flavinoids, or more importantly epicatechin, that is the healthy ingredient. And, it is this specific ingredient that is thought to be especially good for the heart. It works to reduce blood clots which eventually lead to clogged arteries and subsequently heart attacks. However, this is provided the dark chocolate level of intake is limited to one point four ounces a day. It certainly does not help if a pound of chocolate is eaten daily.

As far as the best of this type of candy is concerned, there are a tremendous amount of different dark chocolate bars that is on the market today, therefore, deciding upon the best ones will probably be a matter of personal preference. There are sweet types and bitter types. There are types that include nuts and fruits. And, there are many different types that have various degrees of amounts of the cocoa bean, the primary ingredient in chocolate, that have different tastes to them. Although, when it comes to some of the most sold versions, the Dove Dark Chocolate bar seems to be one of the top sellers, as is Hershey's special bars. These are bars that are predominantly domestically brands and there for are available where most, if not all, candy is sold. But, there are also many non-domestic brands that are on the market today that are also quite as good but are simply not as widely available too.

As a matter of fact, some of those may be considered better tasting than many of the domestic brands. Therefore, when it comes to the best dark chocolate brands, this is most definitely should be left up to the consumer. Find out more tips about dark chocolate at http://darkchocolate.bestreferenceguide.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alicia_McWilliams

 

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Healthy Dark Chocolate And Your Diabetic Health -- Part 1

Healthy Dark Chocolate continues to garner front page status as more and more scientific research studies on the health benefits of dark chocolate publish their findings, and this is great news for current and potential at risk diabetics.

Chocolate, that universally popular comfort food, has for years meant only one thing for diabetics ... risk! For a diabetic indulging in a chocolate treat, physiological effects needed to be monitored and action taken if so indicated.

For the informed diabetic, that situation is changing, and dark chocolate may once again be a worry free treat as well as an extremely healthy part of ones daily diet.

Before moving into the clinical aspects of dark chocolate, let's define what is "HEALTHY" dark chocolate in relation to the diabetic.

The raw cocoa bean is a super rich source of antioxidants; specifically, a group of antioxidants known as 'flavanols'. In fact, raw cocoa contains an astonishing 10% antioxidant concentration per mass, the highest concentration level of antioxidants in any known food.

Flavanols are the primary reason for cocoa products being very cardiovascular system friendly. As is the case with many natural foods, the antioxidant values of the raw cocoa fall considerably during the chocolate making process.

After fermentation and drying, the cocoa beans, in almost all cases, are roasted in high heat and pressure. Just as with most fruits and vegetables that you are familiar with, this cooking process destroys many of the original beneficial nutrients.

The good news is that even after the antioxidant loss through the roasting and pressing process, this bitter cocoa powder STILL has more than twice the antioxidant rating than the nearest rated fruit ... "prunes".

The manufacturer now will add sugar, emulsifiers, oils, and other ingredients to create the desired taste and texture for their product.

So, how does dark chocolate, rich in flavanols, help your body do battle against diabetes? Primarily, these antioxidants counteract insulin resistance, a serious risk factor.

Insulin resistance is a serious condition which can multiply your chances of developing diabetes and heart problems. This condition prevents your cells from effectively turning blood sugar into energy, so the excess sugar accumulates in your body. This condition is known as pre-diabetes.

By introducing a consistent, high quality source of the flavanols found in dark chocolate, insulin function is improved, blood sugar is better controlled, and the threat of blood sugar build up and pre-diabetes is lessened.

These hard working flavanols provide another very important benefit for the diabetic. Studies have shown that they are very effective in helping to keep blood vessels healthy and improving blood flow. Circulatory problems are a very real risk for the diabetic, and extreme cases can result in necessary loss of an extremity.

Numerous studies have indicated that flavanols may exert significant vascular protection not only from their antioxidant properties, but also from increased nitric oxide availability.

Nitric oxide, or "NO", is a critical component in healthy blood flow and blood pressure control, two very important factors in controlling diabetes. Studies have shown that antioxidants in cocoa help the body process NO which helps prevent fatty substances in the blood from oxidizing and narrowing the arteries, leading to high blood pressure, another serious diabetes risk factor.

In part 2 of "Healthy Dark Chocolate and Your Diabetic Health", we will look at several case studies that clearly define the potential positive impact of healthy dark chocolate for the current or pre-diabetic, and explore how to determine which Chocolate products are in fact "Healthy".

Article Source: http://add-articles.com

The author Timothy Prahl lives in beautiful Hilo, Hawaii, and became intrigued with the subject of Chocolate being referred to as "Healthy". For more information regarding what constitutes "HEALTHY" Chocolate, download the author's FREE report, "Healthy Dark Chocolate For Life"

 

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Why Eat Chocolate for Dessert?

So many people are health-conscious, so many people are obese, so many people eat terrible food - greasy, fatty, over-processed, and so many people don't get enough exercise. Why even think about eating chocolate for dessert? Because there's nothing like the "mouth-feel" of chocolate; because it's the additives, not the chocolate itself, that are fattening or that can cause allergic reactions; and because, after a long hard day of "being good", eating something that "feels" decadent can be very very satisfying.

How wonderful then if what feels decadent is actually good for you! We're talking dark chocolate here, at least 70% cocoa. This delectable treat contains theobromine - a known mood elevator; and antioxidant flavonoids - boost good HDL cholesterol levels, reduce blood pressure and reduce bad cholesterol. Mmm chocolate - maybe a chocolate fountain is the real Fountain of Youth?

Scientists have found that eating dark chocolate appears to improve circulation and make blood vessels more flexible, helping to prevent hardening of the arteries. The Kuna Indians of the San Blas islands off the coast of Panama drink multiple cups of cocoa every day and have little incidence of high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.

Cocoa is also rich in a number of essential minerals, including magnesium, copper, potassium and manganese. Indeed, chocolate is thought to be one of the largest single contributors of copper to the diet in the United States.

For all-round health, eat like the French do. I don't mean eat French foods necessarily, although that can be nice, but eat AS the French do; make a meal an event in itself. Turn off the tv and computer, don't even read while you eat. Savor and chew each bite.

Eating consciously like this will make you more in tune with your appetite. You won't overeat, and you'll enjoy your food so much more. Take your time - make fast food a thing of the past.

End your meal with the perfect dessert - a bit of dark chocolate. Break off a small piece and place it in your mouth. Let it melt slowly, enjoying the texture and savoring the taste. Then another bite.

Fine dark chocolates have subtle flavors reminiscent of fruits, nuts, coffee, herbs, and much more. Just as wine connoisseurs clean their palate before tasting wines, you can drink a little warm water to clear your taste buds before eating chocolate. Bitter flavors will make the chocolate taste sweeter, and sweet tastes will make you insensitive to the sweetness of the chocolate, so start with a "neutral palate".

Chewing and swallowing chocolate will not allow you to taste all the flavors so just allow chocolate to melt in your mouth.

You can substitute a chocolate candy made with the purest of ingredients. Additional cream, sugar, etc. is what adds the calories, if that concerns you, eat less. Eat the best chocolate available - this isn't necessarily the most expensive chocolate. Try many varieties and choose the one most delicious to YOU!

Always, eat what you enjoy, and enjoy what you eat. And for me, this is chocolate!

About the Author:
Learn how to make delicious chocolate desserts easily, quickly and inexpensively with these 4 Dessert Secrets that you can learn in just a few minutes.

Article Stars: http://articlestars.com

 

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Is Chocolate That Healthy?

It is great news that research has found a food that lowers blood pressure and is healthy for the heart and maybe more. The problem is that the chocolate Americans consume most is not the kind that was studied. The more popular kinds of chocolate have little or no positive effect on your health. Only certain chocolate may be healthy.

Dark chocolate is the chocolate that was found to have positive effects on blood pressure. Participants, either given dark, milk, or white chocolate every day were evaluated in different studies. It turns out that dark chocolate contains important antioxidants called phenols. These natural compounds from the cocoa bean are known to increase nitric oxide, reduce platelet aggregation, and inhibit oxidation of LDL cholesterol. Cocoa can decrease blood pressure, reduce cholesterol, and increase your insulin sensitivity. Milk and white chocolate are low in these antioxidants and do not have the same effect.

The problem is how chocolate is processed in this country. White chocolate, regardless of where you get it, actually contains no cocoa at all and is made only from cocoa butter; just the fat from the cocoa beans. It also contains no phenols. Most of the other chocolate we eat is made with "dutched" cocoa. The cocoa beans are treated with an alkaline solution to make them dark in color and reduce the natural bitterness from the plant. But it also reduces almost 90% of the phenols and most of its healthy benefits. The other problem is that when made into milk chocolate, the milk seems to prevent the phenols from being absorbed and, thus, negating any possible benefit from the chocolate.

The best chocolate for your health appears to be dark chocolate. In the European studies done, participants ate 100gm of chocolate a day (100 grams equals approx. 3.5 ounces). This is the equivalent to 2 1/2 regular size Hershey's bars. It also added about 550 calories to their diet. They were instructed to substitute this amount of calories from other foods they normally ate each day. You would have to do the same or forego its healthy benefits by increasing your waistline. European chocolate in general is healthier than that found in America due to the fact that it is less processed than ours and contains more of the heart healthy antioxidants. Dark chocolate is an acquired taste for most Americans since it is much more bitter than its milky counterpart.

So why is this research being touted as the 'best medical news in ages'? It appears to be one more way we look to justify the unhealthy diets we follow. When people hear that chocolate is now healthy, they don't hear any of the other restrictions involved, and don't want to. In fact, most people wouldn't want to change to a more bitter tasting chocolate and also cut out over 500 calories from their diets as they did in the studies. Our diets already have enough sweets and this type of news only fuels the diabetic and obesity epidemics. This kind of medical news will only make most people add extra calories to their diets and increase their health problems.

These studies do look promising but there still is no information on how long these benefits last, how many phenols need to be eaten or how often. Stick with the darkest chocolate, if you must, and balance out your calories. Until we have more information, chocolate should remain a treat and not a treatment.

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About the Author: GeraldMeyer

More information on the benefits of green tea can be found at http://www.natural-weight-loss-programs.com/greentea.htm. Free trials green tea patches and instant beverages are available while supplies last. Find out the benefit of green tea for yourself today. And, learn more about the new superfood - the amazon super berry - acai. Acai may be the most nutritious and powerful food in the world. MonaVie is the next generation of health food.
 

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Studies That Show The Benefits Of Dark Chocolate On Blood Pressure

Good news for dark chocolate lovers. Eating dark chocolate can now help lower blood pressure. A recent study was done by specialists in the US that says, dark chocolate will actually help in lowering your blood pressure. This could be just the boost you need help you in your battle with hypertension, and it's natural.

Flavinoids, or antioxidants, as many people know them, are the ingredient that is found in food that help lower blood pressure. Tea and red wine are a couple of foods that we already knew could help in lowering blood pressure due to these natural antioxidants. Know we can add dark chocolate to this list as well.

The study was conducted at a University in Italy that is known for its hypertension studies. Twenty people were involved in this study. All twenty people, ten female and ten male, suffer from hypertension, but had no other disease. The subjects were not on any medication or treatment plan for their high blood pressure, and none of them smoke. These people also had to avoid chocolate two weeks prior to the study so that accurate results and conclusions could be drawn from the study.

To start the study the participants were split up into two groups with five men and five women in each. The blood pressure of each subject was taken and recorded for comparison with the end results. For 15 days one group got a 3.5 oz dark chocolate bar a day, and the other group got a 3.5 oz white chocolate bar a day. After the 15 days both groups went a week without chocolate, and then the groups switched which kind of candy bar they were getting. The only difference in the candy bars is that the white chocolate does not contain any flavinoids.

When the next 15 days were up the subjects' readings were taken again. The group that ate the white chocolate had no differences in their readings. There was a drop in pressure in the group that did have the dark chocolate. The group that ate the dark chocolate also experienced a 10% drop in their bad cholesterol levels, and a reduction in their insulin resistance.

If you do suffer from hypertension you should talk to your doctor and find the best treatment for you. Each person is different, and you may require other treatment. Diet and exercise are the best natural way to control this issue. Prescription medication is also needed in many cases. You should not stop your current treatment and try just eating dark chocolate every day, but you may want to think about adding it to your diet once a week. In addition to helping control hypertension, dark chocolate is good for your taste buds and your heart.

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About the Author

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as Gourmet Chocolate at http://www.chocolategiftsonline.com 

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