Yes, chocolate can be good for you, but it would be more accurate to say that cocoa is good for you. Only dark chocolate contains enough cocoa to have any real beneficial effect and milk chocolate is much higher in saturated fats and sugar.

Some healthy ingredients…

So what’s so healthy about dark chocolate and cocoa? Well they contain cell-protecting antioxidants and flavonoids which could help protect your heart and several vital minerals including:

•    Copper (again, could be good for the heart)
•    Zinc (helps with cell growth)
•    Phosphorous (helps strengthen bones)
•    Magnesium (which also helps to keep your bones strong and is also believed to help brain function and reduce depression)
•    Iron (essential for red blood cell production)

Dark chocolate also has a low glycemic index so your blood sugar level doesn’t shoot up after eating it.

The feel-good factor

Chocolate also contains small amounts of the chemical phenylethylamine (PEA) which produces a feel-good sensation – one of the reasons why people love it so much.

Who discovered it?

We have the Spanish explorer Cortes to thank for bringing cocoa back to Europe in the early 16th century from Mexico, where the Aztecs enjoyed drinking chocolate with spices. Cortes noticed its energy boosting properties and declared: “One cup of this precious drink allows a man to walk a whole day without taking nourishment”. This was probably thanks to the caffeine in chocolate.

But I don’t like dark chocolate!

Many people prefer the sweetness of milk chocolate and if you find it hard to change, try various brands of dark chocolate, they vary a great deal and give it time, eventually your tastes will change. Remember that dark chocolate still contains fat, so only eat small amounts. If you still prefer milk chocolate (I do! – Beeble) only eat small bars and have one as just a weekly indulgence.

My advice

Here are some ways to avoid over-indulging in chocolate:

•    Only eat small amounts of dark chocolate with a high cocoa content
•    Remember: even dark chocolate contains fat, sugar and calories so keep it as a treat
•    Never keep large amounts of chocolate in the house – it’s much too tempting
•    Don’t use it as a substitute for food: if you eat regularly you will be less likely to want to snack on chocolate

Sources and further reading:

The healthier life

Chocolate Design

Mindful eating

Energy levels

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This entry was Posted on Monday, November 3rd, 2008 at 7:22 pm and is filed under Diet. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.