Posted by Sol Luckman
Chocolate isn’t just for breakfast anymore.
And it’s darn good for you, too.
So say gooey, yummy gobs of new articles (below) offering proof that dark chocolate in particular does everything from foster growth of beneficial gut bacteria to help with digestion and immunity; to lower risk of diabetes, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease; to promote weight loss, alleviate depression and—perhaps most important of all—improve one’s sex life.
So have it—and make sure you save some for desert. Chocolate, that is.
Disclaimer: This article isn’t meant to provide nutritional advice. If you can’t feed yourself, you really should see a specialist.
“GOOD” GUT MICROBES REVEALED AS KEY TO CHOCOLATE’S HEALTH BENEFITS. It has long been known that eating chocolate, particularly dark chocolate, has numerous health benefits. Although various studies have backed this up, the exact reason as to why this is so has remained a mystery. Now researchers from LSU have provided the answer: gut microbes.
CHOCOLATE LOVERS LOWER THEIR DIABETES RISK. Attention chocolate lovers. Here’s another good reason to indulge your chocolate addiction every day WITHOUT the guilt. Researchers have found that long-term consumption of chocolate is associated with a reduced diabetes risk.
CHOCOLATE MIGHT BE THE HEALTHIEST INDULGENCE EVER. Though many think of chocolate as a vice, it should be thought of as a health food. Why? Because chocolate is very high in many essential nutrients, appears to prevent heart disease and stroke, and can even decrease stress.
CHOCOLATE IS HEALTH FOOD. Several studies show that chocolate is quite effective against the number one killer of Americans, heart disease. Another serious threat to our health, the effects of environmental pollution, is significantly reduced by eating chocolate. And the news gets even better for females.
EAT CHOCOLATE & LOSE WEIGHT. The myth that high-calorie food like chocolate causes weight gain has been clinically debunked by researchers at the University of Granada. A comprehensive study, funded by the European Union, reveals evidence that greater chocolate consumption actually lowers body mass index and central body fat in the abdominal area, regardless of physical activity or diet.
DAILY CHOCOLATE THERAPY RECOMMENDED FOR METABOLIC SYNDROME. People diagnosed with “metabolic syndrome” will likely be advised to lose weight. To many that means no more sweets, especially chocolate. But Australian researchers think a daily dose of dark chocolate may be just what the doctor should order. It might well reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke in these high risk patients.
RESEARCH: MORE CHOCOLATE, LESS BODY FAT. It’s time to crack open the bubbly and toast the University of Granada researchers who have scientifically disproven the outdated belief that eating chocolate is fattening. If you don’t enjoy exercising, you may also appreciate that the research was independent of diet and physical activity.
NEW STUDY CONFIRMS CHOCOLATE’S FAT-BUSTING PROPERTIES. a new observational study published in the journal NUTRITION confirms that chocolate consumption may have significant health benefits. The European study titled found a higher chocolate consumption was associated with lower total and central obesity in adolescents.
MODERATE CHOCOLATE CONSUMPTION LINKED TO DECREASED STROKE RISK IN MEN. The scientific community has released yet more good news about the health benefits of chocolate: moderate consumption may reduce the risk of stroke in men.
HOT CHOCOLATE ENHANCES MEMORY, MODULATES IMMUNE CELLS. In a recent issue of NEUROLOGY, scientists suggest that drinking two cups of hot chocolate daily will prevent memory decline in older people. Their investigation sought to discover the benefits of cocoa consumption in relation to memory performance and neurovascular coupling, which is when local brain activity is stimulated by changes in blood flow.
MYTH-MELTING STUDY FINDS CHOCOLATE BURNS BELLY FAT, IMPROVES CHOLESTEROL. A new study has revealed something quite counterintuitive about chocolate, one of the world’s most prized “high-fat” foods. This strangely medicinal “sweat treat” improved markers of cardiovascular disease, including the reduction of belly fat, after one week of consumption.
7 HEALTH BENEFITS OF DARK CHOCOLATE. Raw cacao powder or nibs are super antioxidants, which protect you against cellular damage from the oxidative stress of free radicals. Their ORAC ratings (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) are higher than any other food, with dark chocolates not far behind.
10 HEALTHY REASONS TO EAT CHOCOLATE. New research has found this divine food has even more health boosting advantages than previously recognized. Not only does it enhance both cardiovascular and mental wellbeing, but it also lowers body mass index (BMI) and insulin resistance. But before consuming chocolate with abandon, it’s important to discern between the different varieties.
SWEETHEART: CHOCOLATE GIVES STATINS A RUN FOR THEIR MONEY. With the cholesterol-lowering class of drugs known as statins being widely promoted for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease, despite having over 300 documented adverse health effects (including heart failure!), how does chocolate sound as a viable, truly heart-friendly alternative?
CHOCOLATE LOWERS BLOOD PRESSURE. A growing body of research is emerging to show that eating chocolate really can lower your blood pressure.
Copyright © Sol Luckman. All Rights Reserved.
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Sol Luckman is a prolific visual artist and critically acclaimed author. His numerous books include the international bestselling CONSCIOUS HEALING and its bestselling sequel, POTENTIATE YOUR DNA. Sol is also author of the BEGINNER’S LUKE Series of seriocomic novels characterized by Reader Views as a “modern-day ALICE IN WONDERLAND” and by Apex Reviews as a “mind-bending journey through the mind of the ultimate iconoclast.” His latest novel, SNOOZE: A STORY OF AWAKENING, is the riveting, coming-of-age tale of one extraordinary boy’s awakening to the world-changing reality of his dreams. Follow Sol on Facebook here and learn more about his work at www.CrowRising.com.
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