THE HEALTH BENEFITS
OF CHOCOLATE
Yes, it's true, Chocolate which is high in cocoa solids (70% or more) is
now recognised as having many qualities that are beneficial to health,
-
Chocolate contains
essential trace elements and nutrients such as iron, calcium and potassium, and vitamins A. B1, C,
D, and E.
-
Cocoa is also the
highest natural source for Magnesium. Magnesium deficiency is linked with hypertension, heart
disease, diabetes, joint problems and pre-menstrual tension (PMT or PMS).
There are benefits
in Chocolate for both men and women:
-
the high Magnesium
content of Chocolate is beneficial for the Cardiovascular System and hypertension -
-
the fat in high
quality plain chocolate (although technically a 'saturated fat') can be considered cholesterol free
as it does not fur up the arteries or contribute to high cholesterol levels.
-
It's a pre-menstrual
drop in progesterone levels which is responsible for the violent mood swings familiar to so many
women (and their families), adding magnesium to a sufferers diet has been proved to increase
pre-menstrual progesterone levels, thus alleviating the problem.
It's a fact that plain dark chocolate products containing a minimum 70% or more
cocoa solids are the healthiest and the best way to satisfy a craving for chocolate, without
consuming too much sugar and saturated fat or HVO. If your a Milk or White Chocolate lover,
choose products with a minimum of 30% chocolate solids (Milk Chocolate) or 30% chocolate butter
(white chocolate).
Chocolate lovers go
wrong by choosing cheap (& not so cheap) "brand name" chocolate or chocolates,
low in chocolate solids (ave is less than 20% chocolate solids, but some can contain less than 7%),
all are high in sugar content, saturated fats and other health hazards such as HVO (Hydrogenated
Vegetable Oil) and consequently can be disastrous for both teeth and health.
Incidentally, filled
chocolates, both the commercial variety and (sadly) many handmade chocolates varieties,
are some of the worst culprits with fillings consisting almost exclusively of flavoured Fondant and
Praline, fondant is virtually 100% sugar and pralines can be just as bad.
BUT ALL'S NOT DOOM AND GLOOM!
If you love
chocolates, Janet has developed most of her fillings using only chocolate solids, cocoa butter,
fruit and dairy produce, typically with less than half the sugar found in fondant fillings. She
covers the centres with only the finest chocolate coverture, typically containing 70%+ cocoa for
plain chocolate, 40% cocoa for milk chocolate and 33% cocoa butter for white chocolate.
They are not only
deliciously different, but because the fillings generally contain far less sugar than many 'Brand
Name' and other chocolates, you could say they are healthier than many other chocolates too.
©2004 - 2007 -
Aphrodite Handmade Chocolates
(www.aphrodite-chocolates.co.uk)
If you wish
to copy this article you may do so subject to the following conditions
| ©2004 - PERMISSION TO COPY. This article is Copyright of Aphrodite Handmade
Chocolates and is protected by international copyright law. You are
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