This page is for chocolate lovers, it is about chocolate and it is all truth about chocolate you’d love to know. If you are passionate for chocolate but concerned about your diet – have a look here. Well, if you are not a chocolate eater – still have a glance. We might manage to persuade you for taking few bits of one from time to time.

So, people love chocolate (like we do). We all know well that not all pleasures are good for us, for our body. Is the chocolate one of them?

As known, chocolate is made of cocoa beans, which naturally contain quite  a large amount of  flavonoids – knows as antioxidants. Recent research revealed that flavonoids can help us to prevent heart disease and cancer, so the idea to better your health by eating chocolate sounds like tempting and delicious way to do it.

When people consume these substances in chocolate and cocoa the amount of antioxidants in their blood increases. This rise in antioxidant levels can protect us from damage to the heart and blood vessels, and also our DNA damage which could cause cancer. Nevertheless, the flavonoid content in a chocolate product is highly variable and depends on the amount of cocoa, on the type of cocoa beans used and how they have been processed. For example, dark chocolate with 75% – 80% cocoa has more antioxidants than milk chocolate and, don’t be surprised, there are no any flavonoids in white chocolate at all.

Also chocolate contains an unusual type of saturated fat (stearic acid) that does not raise the bad cholesterol and may even increase the protective good cholesterol level. The fat in chocolate slows down the sugar absorption; it does not cause a sugar rush after being eaten. Studies show that neither dark nor milk chocolate is a cholesterol concern when eaten in moderate amounts.

Interestingly, chocolate also contains serotonin, which acts as an anti-depressant, theobromine, caffeine and other substances which are stimulants. And in addition, it stimulates endorphin production, which gives  us a feeling of pleasure.

Scientists disprove some common myths about the danger of eating too much chocolate. For example, it is not true that eating chocolate can cause acne or make it worse. High in potassium and essential trace elements and nutrients such as iron, calcium and magnesium, chocolate also provides us with several vitamins – including B1, B2, D, and E. Cocoa is also the highest natural source for Magnesium. Magnesium deficiency is linked with hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, joint problems and pre-menstrual tension (PMT or PMS). The high Magnesium content of Chocolate is beneficial for the Cardiovascular System and hypertension. Cocoa contains chemicals that inhibit mouth bacteria.

Pure dark chocolate or dark chocolate with nuts, orange peel or other flavourings is your choice if you are healthy life style aware person. Do avoid anything with caramel, nougat or other fillings. Last ones are just adding sugar and fat which wipe off many of the benefits you get from eating  chocolate.

So, does that mean we should eat a pound of chocolate a day to be healthy and happy? Scientists challenge this saying that you shouldn’t rely on chocolate for antioxidants, in the place of vegetables and fruits. One of the reasons is the calorie load. A small piece of dark chocolate has only 50 calories, but most candy bars contain at least 200.

In comparison, a serving of vegetables and fruits contains a generous amount of health-promoting phytochemicals and only 25 to 80 calories. Besides, vegetables and fruits have more than flavonoids. They provide vitamins, minerals like magnesium and potassium, and phytochemicals that protect our health in other ways. Green tee contains good amount of flavanoids and, by the way, a cup of green tea has no calories at all. You are not fancy for a green tea? – Not a problem. Have a glass of red wine or just red grape juice.Scientists say they are full of flavanoids too. Chocolate is still  high-calorie, high-fat food. Most of the studies done used no more than 100 grams, or about 3.5 ounces of dark chocolate a day to get the benefits. One bar of dark chocolate brings you about 400 calories. To have half a bar of chocolate a day, you must balance those 200 calories by cutting out other sweets or snacks and replacing them with chocolate which will keep your total calories the same.

Recent research on the flavonoids in chocolate implies that we can enjoy limited amounts of this sweet treat without any guilt in exactly the same way as a glass of nice wine wouldn’t spoil the evening. Just like other pleasures of your life when taken in moderation, chocolate can easily fit into a healthy, balanced diet.

So enjoy your healthy life style with a bit of nice chocolate in it.