While we may have been taught since a very young age that all chocolate is bad for you, it's okay to indulge your sweet tooth once in awhile, for holidays or otherwise. Chocolate is a universal taste among human beings, and some say that nine out of ten people like chocolate - and the tenth is lying.
Chocolate has such a poor reputation from a health standpoint that this may be difficult to believe, but the truth is that we really don't need to feel guilty about eating it. Chocolate comprised of 70% cocoa is actually a healthy indulgence. However, the relative healthiness of the chocolate you consume will depend on both the quality and the quantity of the chocolate.
First, let's examine some of the health benefits of chocolate. You may feel like you get a sense of euphoria when eating chocolate, and you're not imagining it. Chocolate contains a phyto-nutrient, which acts as an endorphin - these are the human body's natural pleasure hormones.
Chocolate can almost be considered an antidepressant. This could explain why so many people indulge in chocolate when they're feeling down. Swiss scientists showed that eating 40g of dark chocolate each day lowered the occurrence of stress hormones in the bloodstream, which helps people manage the effects of stress.
There have been many studies conducted on the impact of chocolate on health, and the results have shown that it can actually have a positive impact. A Swedish study found that people who ate chocolate at least twice a week after having a heart attack increased their chances of survival three-fold over an eight-year period.
In a Canadian study that provided chocolate's health benefits, those who ate chocolate once a week were at a lower risk of stroke over those who did not.
The benefits of chocolate are imparted by compounds called flavinoids, which are present in the cocoa. These flavinoids act as a potent anti-oxidant in the human body, protecting our DNA from damage from oxidation. This effect means that chocolate could potentially be considered an anti-aging food.
So there's really no need to feel guilty about eating chocolate, whether it's for Easter or another holiday, or just for any occasion. It's still necessary to consume chocolate in moderation, however - a bar every day is too much. The most healthy and beneficial kind of chocolate is composed of 70% cocoa, and organic chocolate is great as well if it's available in your area.
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