Dark Chocolate Is A Super Food

Deliciousness Can Be Good For You — Medical Benefits of Dark Chocolate

As we learned in part 1 of this series, dark chocolate has a variety of health benefits. Apart from protecting your heart, chocolate also tastes great; stimulates endorphin production which generates a feeling of pleasure; contains serotonin which acts as an antidepressant; and contains theobromine, caffeine and other stimulants to help get you through your day.

Early uses (subsequent 16th to early 20th century) included: treating emaciated patients to gain weight; stimulating nervous systems of apathetic, exhausted or feeble patients; and improving digestion in stagnant or weak stomachs which required stimulated kidneys and improved bowel function. Chocolate paste was even used to administer drugs by countering bitter tastes. Modern researchers have discovered even more benefits.

Helping Those with Diabetes

Who would have ever thought that candy could become a foe of diabetes? There are numerous studies available which indicate that flavonols exert significant vascular protection because of their antioxidant properties and nitric oxide production. Conclusions show that dark (but not white) chocolate decreases blood pressure and improves insulin sensitivity in healthy persons — thereby aiding diabetics. A small piece of dark chocolate eaten once a day for 15 days shows the potential for insulin resistance drop by nearly half.

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—Nutrition Coach LLC | Feb 2013