Chocolate--For Health and Happiness
Chocolate has a long history that began in 600 AD when cocoa plantations were introduced by the Mayans in Mexico. The first chocolate drink developed by the Aztecs was produced from beans on the cocoa trees. The Aztecs revered cocoa believing that it was brought to earth from the gods as a blessing to the people.
Cortez, the Spanish conqueror of Mexico, introduced cocoa to Spain in 1528 during the reign of King Charles V. The Spanish would not divulge the secret of processing chocolate to any of the European countries and would allow only monks in the monasteries to process the beans into chocolate. The secret eventually was obtained by other countries as Spain declined as a political power.
Chocolate became popular, but in the 17th century only the rich could afford it and it functioned as a currency among the countries at that time. However, when the price of chocolate dropped in the early 18th century it was no longer only for the wealthy.
Although chocolate has been one of the most popular foods of the last two centuries, in recent years it has been considered junk food. However, present research has shown it to have great health benefits that may restore it to the elite status it enjoyed during the 17th century.
Here are some of the benefits:
1. It ranks number one as an anti-oxident. ORAC is a measurement of antioxident activitiy. On the ORAC scale, dark chocolate measures 13,120. Other foods ranked in comparison are raisins 2,830, blueberries 2,400, spinach 1,260, and broccoli 890. Antioxidents destroy free radicals, thus protecting the body from heart disease and cancer.
2. It lowers cholesterol and high blood pressure. A recent study indicated that dark chocolate dropped the level of blood pressure and cholesterol by 10 points in only two weeks of taking chocolate.
3. The flavenoids in dark chocolate decrease inflammation. Lowering inflammation helps to heal chronic disease and pain.
4. Dark chocolate helps to prevent blood clots thus reducing the danger of heart attack and stroke.
5. Dark chocolate helps reduce insulin resistance. Insulin resistance builds up too high a level of insulin in the body. A study on insulin sensitivitiy revealed that chocolate significantly improved the sensitivity healthy bodies should have.
6. Most people love the feeling they receive from chocolate and love it like nothing else. Few foods taste so good. Montezuma, the ruler of the Aztecs was reputed to have drunk 50 cups a day of chocolate! The euphoria obtained from chocolate may occur because it has a substance that regulates the build up of serotonin. If the brain has enough serotonin, a person feels relief from anxiety. Chocolate releases endorphins in the brain which give you a wonderful feeling of happiness.
Sure, chocolate is loaded with calories and fat. But the benefits cannot be questioned. The safe way to enjoy chocolate is to count the calories and take those calories out of other foods in your meals. Good quality dark chocolate can be obtained in health food stores and grocery stores. All of the major chocolate producers have special dark chocolate bars. One has a special dark chocolate bar in a small oblong pack about one inch long and one half inch wide that makes a nice serving of 50 calories. Look for bars with 55 percent or more of cocoa. Keep in mind that the benefits are from dark chocolate, not from milk chocolate. Be happy and enjoy your chocolate--dark chocolate, that is!
Please check our medical website at http://www.medical-research-studies.org for free access to more than 200 articles on health and medical topics.
The material provided on this site is for educational purposes only and any recommdations are not intended to replace advice of your physician. You are encouraged to seek advice from a competent medical professional regarding the applicability of any recommendations with regard to your symptoms or condition.
These products are dietary supplements and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always consult with your health care provider before adding any substances to your diet or making any lifestyle changes. These statements have not been evalualated by the U S Food and Drug Administration.
Copyright 2002-2006 www.medical-research-studies.org
All rights reserved
Cortez, the Spanish conqueror of Mexico, introduced cocoa to Spain in 1528 during the reign of King Charles V. The Spanish would not divulge the secret of processing chocolate to any of the European countries and would allow only monks in the monasteries to process the beans into chocolate. The secret eventually was obtained by other countries as Spain declined as a political power.
Chocolate became popular, but in the 17th century only the rich could afford it and it functioned as a currency among the countries at that time. However, when the price of chocolate dropped in the early 18th century it was no longer only for the wealthy.
Although chocolate has been one of the most popular foods of the last two centuries, in recent years it has been considered junk food. However, present research has shown it to have great health benefits that may restore it to the elite status it enjoyed during the 17th century.
Here are some of the benefits:
1. It ranks number one as an anti-oxident. ORAC is a measurement of antioxident activitiy. On the ORAC scale, dark chocolate measures 13,120. Other foods ranked in comparison are raisins 2,830, blueberries 2,400, spinach 1,260, and broccoli 890. Antioxidents destroy free radicals, thus protecting the body from heart disease and cancer.
2. It lowers cholesterol and high blood pressure. A recent study indicated that dark chocolate dropped the level of blood pressure and cholesterol by 10 points in only two weeks of taking chocolate.
3. The flavenoids in dark chocolate decrease inflammation. Lowering inflammation helps to heal chronic disease and pain.
4. Dark chocolate helps to prevent blood clots thus reducing the danger of heart attack and stroke.
5. Dark chocolate helps reduce insulin resistance. Insulin resistance builds up too high a level of insulin in the body. A study on insulin sensitivitiy revealed that chocolate significantly improved the sensitivity healthy bodies should have.
6. Most people love the feeling they receive from chocolate and love it like nothing else. Few foods taste so good. Montezuma, the ruler of the Aztecs was reputed to have drunk 50 cups a day of chocolate! The euphoria obtained from chocolate may occur because it has a substance that regulates the build up of serotonin. If the brain has enough serotonin, a person feels relief from anxiety. Chocolate releases endorphins in the brain which give you a wonderful feeling of happiness.
Sure, chocolate is loaded with calories and fat. But the benefits cannot be questioned. The safe way to enjoy chocolate is to count the calories and take those calories out of other foods in your meals. Good quality dark chocolate can be obtained in health food stores and grocery stores. All of the major chocolate producers have special dark chocolate bars. One has a special dark chocolate bar in a small oblong pack about one inch long and one half inch wide that makes a nice serving of 50 calories. Look for bars with 55 percent or more of cocoa. Keep in mind that the benefits are from dark chocolate, not from milk chocolate. Be happy and enjoy your chocolate--dark chocolate, that is!
Please check our medical website at http://www.medical-research-studies.org for free access to more than 200 articles on health and medical topics.
The material provided on this site is for educational purposes only and any recommdations are not intended to replace advice of your physician. You are encouraged to seek advice from a competent medical professional regarding the applicability of any recommendations with regard to your symptoms or condition.
These products are dietary supplements and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always consult with your health care provider before adding any substances to your diet or making any lifestyle changes. These statements have not been evalualated by the U S Food and Drug Administration.
Copyright 2002-2006 www.medical-research-studies.org
All rights reserved
posted by Your Health News @ 6:51 AM
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