The Newest HealthFood (chocolate?)
Those making a resolution to eat healthier have usually considered chocolate as a food to be avoided, rather than included, as part of a healthy diet. Recent research, however, has found chocolate to have several benefits.
Chocolate has long been known to have a positive effect on peoples mood. While cocoa-butter, the flavoring ingredient of chocolate, is high in saturated fat, about 1/3 of the total fat in chocolate is steric acid, a variety that does not raise LDL cholesterol levels. And another 1/3 of chocolates fat comes from a heart healthy mono-unsaturated fat (oleic acid).
Cocoa is high in anti-oxidants, such as polyphenol, the healing ingredient found in red wine & greentea. Chocolate is also rich in a variety of vitamins & minerals also, including calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, and iron. What kind of chocolate is the healthiest?
Many cheap kinds of chocolate such as common candy bars are best avoided since they include lots of refined sugar, unhealthy fats, artificial flavorings, and preservatives. Look for dark chocolates, the darker versions are better since they contain more healing phenols. Look for organic, grain sweetened chocolate. Eat chocolate in moderation, about one oz. a day is usually sufficient