How to Use Chocolate for Health

Dark Chocolate is Good for You

Chocolate is a tasty treat we all love. Chocolate can also be a health benefit if you use it right and in moderation. Just by eating a little bit of chocolate everyday, preferably dark chocolate, you can prevent heart disease and other illnesses. The reason for this is dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants gets rid of free radicals, destructive molecules that cause a lot of illnesses. Antioxidants strengthen the immune system, helps prevent strokes, heart disease and cancer, and slows the aging process down. The darker the chocolate, the higher the antioxidants, which in turn the better chance it gives you of preventing such illnesses.

Things You'll Need

• Dark chocolate

Instructions

1. Eat about five squares of dark chocolate everyday and it will lower your blood pressure.

2. Eat a little bit of dark chocolate everyday and it can fight tooth decay. Cacao, which is the main source in cocoa and chocolate contains antibacterial agents which fight tooth decay. Milk chocolate causes tooth decay so go with a little piece of dark chocolate every day or every other day.

3. Eat a small bar of dark chocolate every once and a while and it can keep you heart healthy. Dark chocolate can keep your heart and cardiovascular system running smoothly. Two ways it can do this is by raising good cholesterol and lowering bad cholesterol.

4. Drink a cup of hot chocolate before a meal and it can decrease your appetite and help you lose weight.

Tips & Warnings

• Chocolate is also a mood stabilizer. Chocolate contains phenyl ethyl-amine which is a mild mood elevator. The smell of chocolate can increase theta brain waves that helps you relax.

• Men who eat more chocolate live one year longer than men who do not eat chocolate.

• Chocolate can help ease depression. Chocolate contains serotonin which acts as an anti-depressant.

• Chocolate is rich in magnesium and phosphorus which is good for keeping bones strong and helps maintain muscle and nerve function.

• Milk chocolate is high in fat and can also cause tooth decay so do not eat milk chocolate everyday. Dark chocolate is the kind you want.

• Do not drink milk with dark chocolate because it can interfere with the health benefits of dark chocolate.

• Do not overdo it with any kind of chocolate because it can cause weight gain. Moderation is the key.

Resources

• Dark Chocolate is Healthy Chocolate
• Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate