Want a Healthy Heart? Satisfy Your Chocolate Cravings!
Are you having chocolate cravings? Cool your jets if you are about to rush off to purchase an unhealthy, chocolate-filled candy bar after reading that headline! Because not all chocolates are created equal. There are a lot of reasons that processed, sugar- loaded, trans fat-filled and chemical-laden chocolate coated candy bars are not good for you.
However, one type of chocolate treat is heart-friendly.
Dark chocolate comes from the cacao plant. When you consume natural dark chocolate, with no additives, preservatives, sugar and other man-made nasties present, you actually do your heart a favor. This is because of the flavonols in the cacao plant. These natural heart helpers can lower your blood pressure and even prevent blood clots which can lead to a stroke or heart attack.
Dark chocolate also boosts your immune system. It has antioxidant properties which keep your LDL cholesterol moving through your system, instead of sticking to the walls of your arteries. This limits your risk of arterial diseases, just one more heart friendly property that delicious, rich dark chocolate offers.
Make sure you choose dark chocolate which is at least 70% cocoa to limit the amount of unhealthy ingredients like sugar. Choosing natural, organic cocoa powder or unsweetened cacao nibs ramps up the amount of heart healthy flavonols you ingest, for an even healthier heart.
YES!
I love dark chocolate
nice post! thank you for sharing! i love dark chocolates
I love chocolate. Nice to know it’s good for you.
This article made me smile from ear to ear. I love any excuse to continue indulging in one of my favorite things! 🙂 You can keep the red wine… I rather have the dark chocolate! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Dark chocolate is my favorite!! I love that it can help my immune system since I have an auto immune illness/chronic fatigue syndrome. What’s better than eating delicious chocolate and have it help your health!!!
Always love to see these articles! Less guilt…thanks! 🙂
I love eating chocolate. From now on, I will be having dark chocolate. Not usually my favorite though.
I have always preferred dark chocolate and I shall continue to eat it and enjoy it.
I’m afraid I’d rather do without chocolate altogether (which is what I do) than limit myself to a couple of squares a week!
I need to start eating more dark chocolate!
i love dark chocolate, lucky me! 😀
shame I don’t like dark chocolate
I like dark chocolate better than regular anyways(:
This works out well for me because I love dark chocolate! Good tips on choosing the right dark chocolate.
I dont mind Dark Chocolate.
I never really cared for dark chocolate myself. I really need to try it again.
How about some dark chocolate (70%) melted over ice cream?
slehan at juno dot com
I know dark chocolate is better for you, but I just don’t like it as much. Thanks for the encouragement.