Tips for getting even the pickiest eaters all the vitamins and nutrients needed to optimize health and prevent disease.

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Healthy Chocolate...is that possible?

I recently found some articles about the health benefits of dark chocolate and thought I'd share it with you all.

Health Benefits include:
  • enhances immune function
  • repairs exercise-induced muscle damage
  • enhances energy metabolism
  • improves cardiovascular and lung function
  • improves blood flow to the brain, thereby affecting mental function, cognition, and mood
  • enhances mood
  • decreases depression
  • moderates emotional response
  • provides high amounts of antioxidants
  • prevents cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and other diseases
  • decreases blood clotting
  • controls blood sugar/insulin levels
  • decreases inflammation
  • minimizes the oxidation of harmful cholesterol
  • protects the eye's sensitive tissue and nerves
  • minimizes damage to cell DNA
  • regulates genes that control weight gain
  • reduces cravings
  • suppresses appetite and stabilizes blood sugar levels
  • protects the skin from UV radiation
  • prevents tooth decay
Just to name a few of the benefits. I've highlighted what I like about having healthy chocolate.  It's incredible.
If you don't believe me, just google dark chocolate and read for yourself or click here

 http://www.google.com/#hl=en&source=hp&q=dark+chocolate+health+benefits&aq=0&aqi=g10&aql=&oq=dark+choco&gs_rfai=&fp=686584fbbbb57664

So if you are a chocolate lover and need your fix everyday, make sure you are eating the RIGHT kind of chocolate.  Chocolate should be cold-pressed to keep the antioxidant properties and not heated above 110 F.  Avoid products high in refined sugars.  Instead, good sweetening agents include low-glycemic sugars like agave or fructose.  Avoid chocolate products with milk fats and hydrogenated oils.  Look chocolate with at least 70% pure cocoa powder.  

I've also shared with you several recipes using raw chocolate powder (see raw fudge).
If you are interested in trying some dark chocolate or want to know more about the source I get it from, feel free to call me 801-400-4859 or click on the site below.

http://www.patrickschocolateshop.com/

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