Going Chocoholic: Excuses to Indulge in Chocolates

Even before Barbara Novack screamed "Down With Love," chocolate has become every girl's best friend. The rich concoction has virtually become a staple food for most people, from the most expensive kind to the cheapest brand.

Despite the negative publicity it has been receiving, such as its fattening, it causes toothache and its among the major reasons of pimple, people can't seem to help but fill their grocery carts and refrigerators with bars of chocolates.

It's about time chocoholics received a big chunk of good news: studies show that contrary to rumors that it causes several harmful effects,chocolate actually has many benefits! Take a look at the following and find out why chocolate is not just for sinful cravings:

Chocolate is pro-health. With a number of nutrients packed in each bar, including potassium and magnesium, chocolate is considered healthy by most doctors. It also contains several vitamins, such as vitamin B1, B2, D, and E. If that's not enough, chocolate also has high levels of flavanoids, an antioxidant, which is why it is said to help improve healthy blood flow.

Chocolate is not a teeth threat. It's true - cocoa and chocolate do contain sugar, which we all know, is usually the number one reason for tooth decay. However, and ironically it seems, both also contain properties that work against this precise sugar's harmful effect of producing oral bacteria that causes dental decay. More ironic information? Researches show that because it contains phosphate and other minerals, milk chocolate is among the common snacks that least likely contribute to tooth decay.

Chocolate can be included in your diet. Still on the ironic note, while some people believe that chocolate, by itself or as ingredient to any scrumptious dessert, will go directly to your hips and tip off the weighing scale because of additional pounds, this is not always true. An average chocolate bar contains 150 to 250 calories, which is low enough to indulge in occasional chocolate cravings. Biting off that sweet concoction from time to time will also prevent binge eating, because it will fill you enough.

Apart from these health benefits one can gain from chocolate, our favorite dessert also makes one feel good - and it's scientifically proven! Studies show that chocolate contains hundreds of chemicals, such as serotonin, a neurotransmitter that acts like an anti-depressant. It also stimulates endorphin secretions, and as Elle Woods of Legally Blonde said: "Endorphins make people happy!"