Can Chocolate Be Good for You?

Chocolate is rich in taste and richer in its medicinal properties. Here are the salient medicinal ingredients of chocolate.

Delicious, mouth-watering chocolate has many good, healthy ingredients in it. Chocolates are made from beans obtained from Cacao trees. After processing, the chocolate paste is made. It is said that cacao trees were first grew in the dense forest of North Brazil. Cocoa tree requires tropical temperature. It is also said that Cocoa is grown in Central America and Mexico since over three thousand years. The crop is associated with the goddess of fertility Xochiquetzal. The world Cocoa Foundation has stated that the Cocoa is a source of food for about 50 million people in the world.

The recent studies on Cocoa or chocolate have made some startling revelations about its positive medicinal value and their positive effect on the human being. They are:

1. Cocoa reduces the cholesterol. Study by a team of scientists from Japan has revealed that the Polyphenol present in Cocoa reduces cholesterol. It is also said that Polyphenol reduces the chance of stroke by 20%. Chances of heart disease by 10% and the mortality rate reduces by 8%

2. It is also found that the Cocoa has antihypertensive effect on the human body.

3. One more startling revelation made by the researchers is that it enhances the brain activity. Chocolate melts at a point less than human body temperature. In this process of melting, it is said, that the cocoa induces the brain activity and the heart rate also increases. It is further said that the feeling of enhanced activity lasts for nearly four times longer than passionate kissing.

4. Cocoa is also rich in antioxidants. These antioxidants are extremely helpful to the brain. The cocoa induces the hormones which induces the brain to be more active. This is possible because of alkaloids present in the Cocoa. These alkaloids also reduce the chances of formation of free radicals.

5. The other benefit of Chocolate is that it helps in the neurotransmitter activity of the brain. This function is done by the anadamide present in the Cocoa.

6. The dark chocolate helps in production of insulin, removes the roughness of the skin, makes a sense of good mood, avoids decay of the teeth, suppresses cough,

7. Chocolate creates the well being mood and this is another reason for the reduction of Blood Pressure.

Researchers say that to feel the medicinal effect and to have the therapeutic effect, at the 50% cocoa solids are required.

Sources:

http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20030827/dark-chocolate-is-healthy-chocolate

http://www.allchocolate.com/health/basics/