Chocolate is good for you!
Easter, christmas and holidays are all times when there is a lot of chocolate around. The good news is that chocolate
doesn’t have to be bad for you, and if you eat the right type it can actually benefit
your health! Although seemingly too good to be true, studies have shown that
cacao beans are rich in antioxidants which have been found to be
antiinflammatory and reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease.
As well this, chocolate
makes us feel good, in part because of its ability to increase levels of the mood
enhancing neurotransmitter tryptophan in the brain. Chocolate also contains
magnesium, a nutrient which has key roles in muscle relaxation and nervous
system function, so reaching for chocolate in times of stress may be a sign
that we need more magnesium!
So how can you reap some
of these benefits? The best type of chocolate you can eat is the
dark variety with high levels of cocoa (try for 60-70%), as these will contain
the highest amounts of antioxidants with lower levels of sugar. An even
healthier option is to source out some raw chocolate from your health food
store, which is even higher in antioxidants as the cacao beans are not roasted,
and they are sweetened without sugar.
Katherine believes
that everyone should have a treat now and again, so why not try 70% cocoa
Lindt, or some Loving Earth raw chocolate, for a guilt-free treat!
