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by: SabrinaLowder
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Chocolate tastes great, but new research shows certain kinds may be heart-healthy, as well. Studies in prestigious scientific journals say dark chocolate is healthy chocolate. Dark chocolate -- not white chocolate or milk chocolate -- is good for you.

True "healthy chocolate" comes from using natural high-quality raw cacao or cocoa beans, which are unprocessed and unroasted. As a result, the natural nutrients and beneficial antioxidants are preserved.

Many of the health benefits contained in dark colored vegetables can be found in chocolate, because it is derived from plants. Healthy attributes include antioxidants (known for possible risk reduction for cancer and heart disease) and minerals, i.e. copper, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, and calcium.

Raw and unprocessed cocoa beans or cocoa powder made from raw cocoa beans which have NOT been treated with alkalis (in the Dutch chocolate process) are a true "healthy chocolate". Raw cacao contains the greatest concentration of antioxidants, and acai berries the second greatest, among all of the natural foods. Raw cacao protects the liver, brain and heart.

Dark chocolate is beneficial to heart health by lowering blood pressure. Studies suggest that individuals with high blood pressure can reduce it by consuming a small quantity of dark chocolate every day. This benefit is from flavonoids, which are chemicals made from plants and which have rich antioxidant properties. Flavonoids offer many nutritional benefits.

Healthy chocolate also contains benefits apart from protecting your heart: it tastes good and stimulates endorphin production, which gives a feeling of pleasure. It contains serotonin, which acts as an anti-depressant.

In the magazine Chemistry & Industry, Marina Murphy reports that the compound epicatechin, found in unprocessed cocoa, may rival penicilin and anaesthesia in importance as far as public health is concerned. The pharmaceutical industry would likely declare a product with a patent a "miracle drug" if it contained all the health benefits of raw unprocessed cocoa.

It is important to remember that "healthy chocolate" is pure chocolate made from unprocessed, raw cacao beans, which have not been treated with alkalis and chemicals. It must also be free from hydrogenated oils, animal fats, refined or processed sugar and/or corn syrup. You can reduce the effects of free radicals and protect your heart by enjoying healthy chocolate, with its extremely high ORAC value.

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Find out how you can benefit from healthy chocolate by visiting Healthy Chocolate and Chocolate Power

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