| ||
| ||
|
|
|
| ||
| |
|
Is Chocolate A New Health Food?
Could it be possible that our beloved chocolate may actually be good for us? This is the nutrition news we have all been waiting for. So here is the scoop on chocolate and its health benefits. Yes, you read right, health benefits! Recent studies show that cocoa and dark chocolate with a high cocoa content contain many heart-healthy antioxidants. They contain a compound called flavonoids which may help prevent the oxidation of LDL (bad) cholesterol and raise HDL (good) cholesterol levels in the blood. There is also some evidence that these flavonoids may prevent certain cancers. It is important that we are all on the same page here, not all chocolate have these health benefits. The healthy flavonoids found in chocolate are found in the cocoa butter and cocoa solids. Milk chocolate is diluted with milk and sugar and contains little amounts of these substances, therefore providing fewer health benefits. So, for those of you who love dark chocolate this is your lucky day! The darker the chocolate, the higher the cocoa content and the more antioxidants it contains. The quality of the chocolate you consume is also important. The cocoa butter is quite pricey so less expensive brands will replace the cocoa butter with milk fats and hydrogenated oils which are bad for our health. Look for high quality chocolates with their main ingredients being cocoa butter and cocoa solids. Unsweetened cocoa powder is one of the purest forms of chocolate you can eat and is lower in fat and calories than other chocolates. Although this is great news for all chocolate lovers, don't forget that most chocolate (unless you use unsweetened cocoa powder) does still contain sugar and saturated fat. And please remember calories. An ounce of chocolate contains around 135 calories. So enjoy a cup of hot cocoa or an ounce of chocolate once in awhile to contribute to your health and not to your waistline! Owner of Real Living Nutrition Services, Meri Raffetto is a recognized professional in the area of nutrition and wellness. She has received a bachelor's degree in both nutrition and psychology and has extensive experience in nutrition counseling and medical nutrition therapy. She offers individual nutrition counseling and has developed one of the only non-diet online weight management programs available on the internet. Meri specializes in weight management, cardiovascular health, and sports nutrition and consults with professional athletes at Titan Sports Performance Center. Her practice includes teaching people how to eat for endurance, improve vitality, and lose weight healthfully. For more information visit http://www.reallivingnutrition.com
MORE RESOURCES: Now Foods, Gluten Free Detox Support Complex Formula, 90 Vcaps
BIOFORCE USA Milk Thistle Complex 1.7 oz
Turmeric Ka Min Chan Stomach Gastric Ulcer Relief
HERBAL CLEAN DETOX FIXX Detox 2 oz
HERBAL CLEAN DETOX Premium Detox 7 Day Kit 3 pc
HERBAL CLEAN DETOX PreTox 100 Caps
HERBAL CLEAN DETOX Q Carbo Liquid Cranberry 16 oz
HERBAL CLEAN DETOX Q Carbo Liquid Cranraspberry 20 oz
HERBAL CLEAN DETOX Q Carbo 32 Liquid Grape 32 oz
HERBAL CLEAN DETOX Q Carbo Liquid Strawberry Mango 20oz
HERBAL CLEAN DETOX Q Carbo Liquid Tropical 16 oz
HERBAL CLEAN DETOX Q Carbo 32 Liquid Tropical 32 oz
HERBAL CLEAN DETOX Quick Chew Tropical 1 Tabs
8 HERB ~ Detox Colon Cleanse ~ Cleanser 575mg 100 PILLS
Futurebiotics Detox 300 Vegetarian Capsules Help Support Healthy Liver Function
MASADA Mineral Herb Spa DeTox M.D 2 lbs
AFRICAN RED TEA Detox Foot Pads 10 packs
TRADITIONAL MEDICINALS TEAS Lemon Everyday Detox 16 bgs
THOMPSON NUTRITIONAL Milk Thistle Extract 175mg 60 Caps
CLEAR PRODUCTS Clear Body Detox 60 Caps
|
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
  
|
| home | site map | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy |
| © 2006 |
