Chocolate

Chocolate – for some, it’s a guilty pleasure, and for others, it’s a way of life. It tastes so good, that it must be bad for you. But what if I told you that if you choose your chocolate wisely, it could be good for your health?

It’s been the source of study of many scientists and universities and some of the benefits may surprise you. Although chocolate won’t give you the same workout that a jog around the park will give you, it will give you the similar ‘runners high’ feeling that occurs while you exercise, and just smelling it increases theta brain waves which results in relaxation.

Chocolate even contains the same chemical released into our body when we fall in love!
In a recent study, researchers found that dark chocolate even lowers blood pressure for as little as 6 grams a day. Contrary to popular belief, chocolate is not addictive, it won’t cause tooth decay, raise you’re cholesterol or cause or worsen acne.

Nutritionally, chocolate contains carbohydrates, fats, vegetable proteins, potassium, magnesium, calcium, sodium and vitamins A1, B1, B2, D and E. The high concentration of cocoa improves vascular function by relaxing blood vessels and keeping cholesterol from gathering in them. Chocolate also carries phenols which could help reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.

A study of 7,841 male Harvard graduates even found that men who eat chocolate live on average one year longer then men who don’t. So if you’re trying to find an excuse to continue eating your favorite chocolate bar, you’ve found some!