Chocolate lovers can rejoice with the official findings that move chocolate
from junk food to health food.
We here at Tennant Products are doing a happy dance, along with chocolate lovers worldwide, with the news that the treat we love can also be beneficial for our health.
But, before we go too crazy ripping into any chocolate bar, let's take a look at what the scientific studies have to share about chocolate.
Not all Chocolate is Created Equal
The findings have shown that dark chocolate (bittersweet or semi-sweet chocolate) contains much more health benefits compared to white or milk chocolate. White and milk chocolate have higher contents of fat and less cacao, and cacao is the key to chocolate offering health benefits.
So, what are the benefits of chocolate? Let's Dive In…
Just the act of peeling back that gold foil and taking a big sniff can increase theta brain waves and help you shift into a relaxing mood. If you then take a big bite of that dark chocolate, it can enhance your mood and keep you in a lighter, happier state of emotion.
Why? Cacao contains an amino acid called tryptophan that your brain uses to produce the neurotransmitter serotonin, which increases feelings of overall happiness.
So once the Easter festivities are over, go for it...rip into Mr. Bunny! (Provided he's dark chocolate.)
But the Benefits Don't Stop with a Pick-Me-Up
Aside from creating a relaxing feeling and improving our mood, dark chocolate also improves the flexibility of our blood vessels and thus, eases the circulation of blood in our system helping lower blood pressure levels of the body.
Another outstanding aspect of dark chocolate is that cacao, an ingredient dark chocolate has in abundance, contains antioxidants that are essential for the body to fight free radicals that cause heart ailments and other types of diseases.
Flavonoids can also be found in dark chocolate, and they are also a major enemy of free radicals. Flavonoids, called epicatechins and catechins, can also help in protecting the body's immune system. Therefore, consuming chocolate with high cacao content is better. (Look for over 75% cacao...the higher, the healthier!)
Serotonin, flavonoids, and blood vessel flexibility are great health benefits, but who knew that along with dark chocolate's delightfully thick and velvety texture, we also get key minerals such as iron and magnesium that our bodies need. But wait, there is more!
Even Your Knees and Elbows will Thank You!
The antioxidants in dark chocolate have been found beneficial for joints and help in reducing pain and stiffness caused by arthritis. These antioxidants may even help you get a better night's sleep.
Well, all of this is a resounding "Yay!" for all chocolate lovers.
If tearing into a chocolate bar is not your thing (or you just don't want the sugar), but you love chocolate, we know you will love our Restore Chocolate Lover's Dream Smoothie, and adding a scoop of organic cacao will increase the health benefits!
It’s your body. It’s your life. Ingredients matter.
Featured Products in This Article:
Dr. Tennant’s® Restore Non-Professional Chocolate: A comprehensive nutritional powder for the entire family (5 years and up). This is our Veggie protein formula and contains no hormones, colostrum (dairy), SAMe or lithium. Dr. Tennant’s® Restore is comprehensive daily nutrition in one packet!
Dr. Tennant’s® Restore Professional Chocolate: A comprehensive daily nutrition. An all-natural, biologically active formula with over 20 patented and trademarked ingredients. Restore contains superior quality ingredients in the most bioavailable form to rebuild your body at the cellular level, simplifying the solution for optimal health in just one packet per day.
