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Heart Healthy Chocolate Contains Beneficial Antioxidants
True "healthy chocolate" comes from using natural high-quality raw cacao or cocoa beans, which are unprocessed and unroasted. As a result, the natural nutrients and beneficial antioxidants are preserved.
Because chocolate gets its origin from plants, it contains several of the health benefits found in dark vegetables. Among these benefits are antioxidants (which are known for possibly reducing the risk of cancer and heart disease) and minerals like copper, magnesium, iron , phosphorus, and calcium.
To produce a true "healthy chocolate", unprocessed raw cacao beans or cocoa powder must be used, which are untreated with alkalis (Dutch chocolate processing). Of all the natural foods, raw cacao contains the highest antioxidant concentration. Acai berries have the second highest content. Cacao in its raw form is beneficial in protecting the brain, liver and heart.
One of the heart health benefits of dark chocolate is Lower Blood Pressure. Studies have shown that consuming a small bar of dark chocolate everyday can reduce blood pressure in individuals with high blood pressure. These benefits are from flavonoids, which act as antioxidants. Cocoa is rich in flavonoids, which are chemicals derived from antioxidant-rich plants, and have a wide variety of nutritional benefits.
Healthy chocolate also contains benefits apart from protecting your heart: it tastes good and stimulates endorphin production, which gives a feeling of pleasure. It contains serotonin, which acts as an anti-depressant.
In the magazine Chemistry & Industry, Marina Murphy reports that the compound epicatechin, found in unprocessed cocoa, may rival penicilin and anaesthesia in importance as far as public health is concerned. The pharmaceutical industry would likely declare a product with a patent a "miracle drug" if it contained all the health benefits of raw unprocessed cocoa.
In choosing a "healthy chocolate", look for a pure chocolate made using unroasted, unprocessed cocoa beans. It is also important that the cacao beans are not treated with chemicals or alkalis. Healthy chocolate must also never contain additives like animal fats/dairy products, preservatives, refined/processed sugar or corn syrup and hydrogenated oils. Healthy chocolate's super-high ORAC value makes it a good way to increase daily antioxidants, protecting your heart and combating the effects of free radicals.
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