Why Chocolate is Good for You

Most of us love chocolate. We could probably eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner. But did you know that chocolate is actually good for you? Here are some reasons why.

One of the main reasons that chocolate is good for you is because it can make you feel better. Maybe not the greatest reason in the world why it's good for you, but we all know it is true. Chocolate is the #1 seller on Valentine's Day. It does make us feel good to receive chocolates from someone that we love. We also enjoy the feeling of nice sweet chocolate melting in our mouths.

Another reason why chocolate is good for you is because it actually does have health benefits. On the website webmd.com it states that two prestigious scientific journals has found that dark chocolate has health benefits. Unfortunately these health benefits only apply to dark chocolate. Milk chocolate and white chocolate don't count. I know, total bummer. Dr. Dirk Taubert, of the University of Cologne in Germany, says that dark chocolate can actually lower blood pressure. Now that is big news! He also cautions us to not go on a chocolate binge. Yeah, that probably would be counterproductive.

Dr. Mauro Serafini of Italy's National Institute for Food and Nutrition Research in Rome states that dark chocolate is a great antioxidant. According to webster.com an antioxidant is: "substance, such as beta-carotene or vitamin C, that inhibits oxidation or reactions promoted by oxygen, peroxides or free radicals". In other words, it is good for you.

According to another report on cbsnews.com the main ingredient in chocolate, cocoa, is great for your health. Some of the benefits of cocoa is that improves blood flow and can help prevent blood clots. It is also stated to have a positive effect on bad cholesterol. So, a little chocolate every day can actually improve your health.

Have you ever wondered where chocolate came from? Here is a little history lesson on the origins of chocolate. According to fieldmuseum.org the cacao tree was discovered many years ago in the rainforest. The first people we know of to have made chocolate out of the cacao tree were from Mexico and Central America. They mixed the cacao seeds with different spices to make a drink. Since that time many changes have been made to create the chocolate we all know and love today.

So, go on and enjoy a nice chocolate bar!

Sources:

http://www.cbsnews.com

http://www.fieldmuseum.org

http://www.webmd.com