Good News About Chocolate!
NathanShor
If you, like many other people, adore chocolate, but think it's fattening, or
bad for you in other ways, let me put your mind to rest. Here are the ways that
chocolate is good for you, and debunked myths about it.
1.) Chocolate is a good source of antioxidants.
According to Univ. of CA researchers at San Diego, it contains the same kinds
of phenolic chemicals as fruits, vegetables and red wine - the kind that combat
cell damage which leads to cancer and heart disease. Extracts of these phenols
from chocolate actually suppressed cell-damaging chemicals, and boosted immune
functions in human blood samples. One bar of chocolate contains as much
phenolic ocmpounds as a glass of cabernet - 205 milligrams. Dark chocolate has
the most, white chocolate has none.
2.) Chocolate gives a healthy boost to brain chemicals.
Chocolate contains an interesting mixture of chemicals that stimulate the
brain, such as caffeine and theobromine. When mixed with other substances such
as sugar, fat, or milk solids, chocolate also boosts endorphins and serotonin,
promoting calm and pleasant feelings. Studies have found that women often
subconsciously "self-medicate" using chocolate to ease pre-menstrual symptoms.
Chocolate also contains Anandamide, a compound which affects the same brain
centers as marijuana, but without the harmful side-effects.
3.) Chocolate helps lactose intolerance.
Chocolate makes milk easier to digest. Researchers at the U. of RI have found
that 1 1/2 teaspoons of cocoa powder in a cup of milk blocked cramping,
bloating and other signs of lactose intolerance in half of the subjects. Cocoa
stimulates lactase enzyme activity.
4.) Dark chocolate is high in chromium, one of the few foods that is.
Chromium is thought to help regulate blood sugar, raising it when blood sugar
levels are low, and lowering it when they are high.
5.) In tests, animals tend to reduce alcohol consumption when given a
chocolate drink as an option.
6.) Tests also show that chocolate containsantibacterial compounds that
discourage, not promote, tooth decay.
7.) Chocolate does not raise cholesterol.
Even eating seven bars of chocolate a day didn't budge the cholesterol level of
test subjects.
8.) Chocolate does not cause acne.
the U of PA tested adolescents skin response to chocolate consumption. Even
eating a full pound of chocolate per day did not increase either the severity
or occurrance rate of acne compared to the control group, which ate no
chocolate.
9.) Chocolate doesn't cause most headaches.
People with migraines are often warned to stay away from chocolate, but the
truth is that in tests at the U of Pittsburgh, people prone to migraines had no
more headaches after eating chocolate than they did after eating carob.
10.) Chocolate doesn't cause hyperactivity in children.
Many anecdotal stories and rumors have made it conventional wisdom that
chocolate and sugar causes hyperactivity, agression, or other behavioral
problems in children, but several rigrously conducted scientific studies have
found absolutely no evidence of that. In fact, some research finds that sweets
calm many children.
In fact, there are only 3 adverse effects of chocolate consumption that I am
aware of. 1, it can cause heartburn, since it relaxes the muscles around the
stomach and esophagus, so acid can leak back up, 2, it does have caffeine - one
glass of chocolate milk contains about one twentieth the amount of caffeine in
a cup of coffee, and some people have adverse reactions to caffeine, and 3, it
does contain plant proteins, which some people can become allergic to, just
like any other plant product.
When it's combined with animal fats, those fats can make you fat.
Otherwise, it's all good, as far as I can tell.
Cuddle-Lion
/(^\\_,_//^)\ There's a Cuddle-Lion looking at you! Alarming, isn't it?
{' =!.| |.!= `} <===========]%%%%D KiTA, official catographer
{, ,(,|L|,), ,} & your mane cat,
"*\^'`u`'^/*" Purrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
nn, ~ ,nn
Chamileon
Good news about chocolate cuddled.
I knew that, but who would believe a woman who sells the stuff for a
living???
--
Hugs & Chocolate
Chameleon
***********************************************************************
Proud Lady-In-Waiting to Princess Tiernan
Sampler & Retailer of Chocolates
Love is not selfish, Love does what is best for the other.
Come see my webpage and tell me what you think!
http://www.angelfire.com/il/serendipitycandy/index.html
************************************************************************
Hytzipky
If you, like many other people, adore chocolate, but think it's fattening, or
bad for you in other ways, let me put your mind to rest. Here are the ways that
chocolate is good for you, and debunked myths about it.
{{{Good chocolate tips saved}}}
Thanks, CL...I went right out and bought 20 pounds of dark chocolate.
Mmmmmm....the best kind and not fattening, right? Mmmmm Munch, Munch,
Munch......Don't need the fat stuff, just the chocolate...mmmmmmm Thanks,
Lion.....want some?????
Chocolate Hugs,
Hytzipky M-M GoodWitch
aka CL GoodWitch
(Rita Linda)
~~~~~
Men & women...smile & smell the roses...
Instead of fighting, petty arguments & hatred worldwide...
This world could be a better place to live.
~===[] light a candle of peace.
~~~~~
NathanShor
If I don't stop eating chocolate soon, my eyes will turn brown. Oh well, other
family members have brown eyes, guess I'll just fit in.
Hytzipky
Good news about chocolate cuddled.
I knew that, but who would believe a woman who sells the stuff for a
living???
--
Hugs & Chocolate
Chameleon
I'll believe it, Chami.....Just ship me the chocolate and I'll tell everyone to
butt out cause Chameleon told me it wasn't fattening.
CovenHugs 'n CovenSnuggles in exchange for the chocolate???
vi...@dont.use.this
NathanShor <natha...@aol.com> typed:
: If you, like many other people, adore chocolate, but think it's fattening, or
: bad for you in other ways, let me put your mind to rest. Here are the ways that
: chocolate is good for you, and debunked myths about it.
<health tips about chockolate cuddled>
As a connoisieur of chockolate I do agree that chockolate indeed is
healthy! :)
*hugs* for the information.
Vivan PiTA (
"I have been and shall always be your friend" -Spock `-`-.
Ps. *Nordic hugs* :) '( @ >
use this instead _) (
forsstro at sci fi / )
/_,' /
\ /
===m""m===
The Colective
vivan
> As a connoisieur of chockolate I do agree that chockolate indeed is
> healthy! :)
<happybounce> yesssssssssssss!!!!!! oh well said!!!!!!
*bunnihugs* to everyone...and buckets of double choc chip cookies too!!!!
Cuddlebunni - "i luv yew, yew luv meeeee..."