The Health Benefits of Chocolate : Can Chocolate Benefit Your Health ?

Chocolate is one of the most popular sweet-tasting treats in the world and has been for centuries. But part of the myth surrounding chocolate is that if it tastes so good, it must be bad for your health.

But the surprising news from the scientic community is that this reputedly decadent treat actually has some health benefits, especially if your choose chocalate wisely.

Is chocolate A Health Food ?

Chocolate contains more than 300 chemicals, and has been the subject of a number of studies by universities and other scientific organizations. Here's a quick rundown of the results (Note, we have no way of proving or disproving these claims so we offer them here as a stimulus for further research. If you're really interested in the subject, this may provide you with a starting point.)

- Cacao, the source of chocolate,contains antibacterial agents that fight tooth decay. Of course, this is counteracted by the high sugar content of milk chocolate.

- The smell of chocolate may increase theta brain waves, resulting in relaxation.

- Chocolate contains phenyl ethlylamine, a mild mood elevator.

- The cocoa butter in chocolate contains oleic acid, a mono-unsaturateed fat which may riase good cholesterol.

-Drinking a cup of hot chocolate before meals may actually diminish appetite.

- Men who eat chocolate live a year longer than those who don't

-The flavanoids in chocolate may help keep blood vessels elastic.

- Chocolate increases antioxidant levels in the blood.

- Mexican healers use chocolate to treat bronchitis and insect bites.

-The carbohydrates in chocolate raise serotonin levels in the brain, resulting in a sense of well-being.

What Chocolate Won't Do

There are many myths and half-truths about the effects of chocolate on the human body. Here are the lastest findings on several of them.

-Studies show that chocolate is not a causative factor in acne.

- Cacao contains the stimulants caffeine and bromine, but in such small quantities that they don't cause nervous.

- Chocolate is not addictive.

-Chocolate contains stearic acid, a neutral fat which doesn't raise bad cholesterol.

-Chocolate doesn't make you high. You'd need to eat a huge quatity(about 25 pounds at one sitting) to feel any noticeable effect.

But On The Negative Side...

1. Chocolate may trigger headacheds in migraine sufferers
2.Milk chocolate is high in calories, saturated fat and sugar.

What about Chocolate and Your Pets ?

Chocolate is considered dangerous to animals because it contains a stimulant called theobromine, which they can't digest.

Dark chocolate and baking chocolate are even more dangerous bacause they contain higher concentration of the substance. This applies whether chocolate is in candy bar form or and ingredients in cake, cookies, puddings or ice cream.

If a pet becomes ill after eating chocolate, take it to the vet immediately.

Dark Chocolate Versus Milk Chocolate
Dark chocolate contains more cacao and less sugar than milk chocolate. It follows tht any health benefits would be more pronounced in dark chocolate.

Dark chocolate is allowed on the popular Montaignac diet while milk chocolate is not.

You'll need to do a little research if you have any health concerns about eating chocolate. But with products like gluten-free and sugar-free brand finging their wat onto supermarket shelves, you're sure to find some form of chocolate you can enjoy with a clear conscience