Is All Chocolate Created Equal?
In the past couple of years, studies keep coming out declaring the health benefits of eating dark chocolate in moderation every day.
There are studies that show the benefits of eating this "super food" in relationship to the cardiovascular system, pregnant women, the liver, depression, neutralizing the free radicals in the body, weight loss, increased energy, and the list goes on and on.
Dark chocolate and the cacao seeds are a "media darling" these days, and as more people become informed of the health benefits, it is most likely that this product will become more popular as each year passes.
However, are all dark chocolate products created equally.
The answer is, no.
Non-alkalized chocolate will give the highest amount of antioxidants and consequently the best benefits.
Most of the chocolate that can be purchased in the stores are "dutched" or alkalized which means that they cook their chocolate.
In this heating process a lot of the antioxidants are lost and it leaves the finished product with a low ORAC score.
The ORAC score tells how much of the oxygen rich antioxidants are found in the food that is being tested.
This is an important number to look at when purchasing good, premium chocolate.
The better quality chocolates will have a high ORAC sore.
This is also important because scientists have found that an antioxidant rich diet can help stimulate fat and weight loss, whereas, lower quality chocolates can have the very opposite affect when eaten every day.
Some people consume certain dark chocolate products every day under the assumption that it is helping their heart, but sadly they add on extra weight and are not getting the health benefits they were hoping for because the chocolate they are consuming is not of the highest grade.
Information is key.
Another key factor in finding premium chocolate products that can offer the best health benefits is to look at what is added to the chocolate.
Does the product contain artificial flavors and ingredients, fillers, or added caffeine?Does the chocolate have refined sugar as the sweetener or does it use healthy, low-glycemic sweeteners?Does the chocolate contain a lot of fat?These are all questions that should be asked when one is wanting to get the best health benefits from the dark chocolate they are consuming.
Being informed about the differences in dark chocolates will help many who are looking to this "super food" for not only its delicious taste but also for its amazing health benefits.
Since chocolate is not created equal, it is best to research before indulging in this tasty treat.
There are studies that show the benefits of eating this "super food" in relationship to the cardiovascular system, pregnant women, the liver, depression, neutralizing the free radicals in the body, weight loss, increased energy, and the list goes on and on.
Dark chocolate and the cacao seeds are a "media darling" these days, and as more people become informed of the health benefits, it is most likely that this product will become more popular as each year passes.
However, are all dark chocolate products created equally.
The answer is, no.
Non-alkalized chocolate will give the highest amount of antioxidants and consequently the best benefits.
Most of the chocolate that can be purchased in the stores are "dutched" or alkalized which means that they cook their chocolate.
In this heating process a lot of the antioxidants are lost and it leaves the finished product with a low ORAC score.
The ORAC score tells how much of the oxygen rich antioxidants are found in the food that is being tested.
This is an important number to look at when purchasing good, premium chocolate.
The better quality chocolates will have a high ORAC sore.
This is also important because scientists have found that an antioxidant rich diet can help stimulate fat and weight loss, whereas, lower quality chocolates can have the very opposite affect when eaten every day.
Some people consume certain dark chocolate products every day under the assumption that it is helping their heart, but sadly they add on extra weight and are not getting the health benefits they were hoping for because the chocolate they are consuming is not of the highest grade.
Information is key.
Another key factor in finding premium chocolate products that can offer the best health benefits is to look at what is added to the chocolate.
Does the product contain artificial flavors and ingredients, fillers, or added caffeine?Does the chocolate have refined sugar as the sweetener or does it use healthy, low-glycemic sweeteners?Does the chocolate contain a lot of fat?These are all questions that should be asked when one is wanting to get the best health benefits from the dark chocolate they are consuming.
Being informed about the differences in dark chocolates will help many who are looking to this "super food" for not only its delicious taste but also for its amazing health benefits.
Since chocolate is not created equal, it is best to research before indulging in this tasty treat.
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