DoctorFalcon2329
There’s some sweet news about chocolate: in addition to its…
There’s some sweet news about chocolate: in addition to its delightful taste, it also offers
physical benefits. Researchers have learned that one benefit of eating chocolate is that it is a source
of desirable antioxidants. Antioxidants are molecules that reverse the deleterious effects of free
radicalsharmful molecules that damage cells, leading to increased risk of heart disease, cancer,
Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease, and other age-related conditions. Until recently, only tea, coffee,
red wine, and certain fruitsfor example, strawberrieswere thought to be sources of
antioxidants, but it is now known that chocolate contains the same type of disease-fighting
chemicals. Tests on human blood samples have confirmed that the antioxidants extracted from
chocolate suppress cell damage and strengthen the immune system. Moreover, recent studies have
revealed that dark chocolate (meaning chocolate without milk solids added, and thus with a higher
percentage of cocoa) has the greatest number of antioxidants; it has been shown to reduce blood
pressure and lower LDL (bad) cholesterol. If eaten daily, an ounce or two of dark chocolate
containing at least 70% cocoa can help keep the heart and cardiovascular system running well.
Besides producing increased antioxidant levels and stronger immunity, chocolate also
contains mood-lifting chemicals, such as the stimulants caffeine and theobromine. In addition,
when mixed with sugar and fat, chocolate increases the production of the brain’s “feel-good”
chemicalsendorphins, which provide a feeling of pleasure; and serotonin, which acts as an
antidepressant. And neuroscientists recently found that chocolate contains anandamide, a
chemical that produces soothing effects on the brain. So eating chocolate not only has physical
benefits; it has psychological advantages as well.
There are other scientific conclusions about the benefits of chocolate. Its stimulation of
lactase enzyme activity actually helps people with lactose intolerance by blocking the cramping
and bloating resulting from their inability to digest dairy products. Also, chocolateparticularly
dark chocolateis one of the few foods with a high content of chromium, which purportedly
controls blood sugar. Furthermore, tests were conducted that showed animals tended to reduce
alcohol intake when given a chocolate drink as an option. And finally, other tests have revealed
that the antibacterial compounds in cocoa beansthe main ingredient in chocolatemay
discourage, not promote, tooth decay.
Finally, recent research clears chocolate of blame associated with several problems it has
long been accused of causing. For example, according to famous experiments at the University of
Pennsylvania School of Medicine and the U.S. Naval Academy, chocolate does not cause acne.
Another study, performed at the University of Pittsburgh, indicates that contrary to popular belief,
chocolate does not trigger headaches. There is no link to hyperactivity, either, as several scientific
studies found no evidence that eating chocolate generates hyperactivity, aggression, or other
behavior problems.
