News Taffy

Do you love chocolate? Who doesn’t feel better with a bit of chocolate bonbon or a bite of incredibly moist chocolate cake like Grandma used to make? Or a steaming cup of hot chocolate on a wintery day? Sadly, there are a few who don’t understand the velvety goodness of chocolate. You can tell I like chocolate. Since I keep reading that dark chocolate can be a healthy treat, I finally decided to do some research to find out exactly how.

First, let’s be clear. Not all chocolate is created equal. Unfortunately, milk chocolate doesn’t have the health benefits of dark chocolate because it’s been over processed and has milk added. Scientists think that milk interferes with the absorption of the antioxidants found in cocoa so don’t reach for a glass of milk with those chocolate cookies either! White chocolate only contains cocoa butter which is the fatty part of the cocoa bean and has none of the “good stuff."

Dark chocolate is loaded with good stuff like antioxidants, flavonoids, vitamins and minerals. That means that dark chocolate can help lower blood pressure and improve blood flow to the brain, improving cognitive function and alertness. Dark chocolate has a low glycemic index so it won’t cause spikes in blood sugar and can help reduce insulin resistance. Its antioxidants can protect against some cancers and reduce signs of aging. Those vitamins and minerals can help prevent anemia, type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Dark chocolate contains several chemical compounds which encourages your brain to release endorphins, creating a feeling much like falling in love, thus improving your mood. It can relieve stress and its metabolic effects and may also lessen cravings for salty, sugary, fatty treats.

Strangely, it has been shown to quiet coughs as well as codeine without the undesirable side effects and South American and European cultures have long used it to treat diarrhea dating back to the 16th century! Imagine the changes you can make to your medicine cabinet!

Before you load up on lots of candy bars, remember that everything is better with moderation. A few small pieces of dark chocolate a week are beneficial, a lot is not. Dark chocolate is still high in calories. Avoid eating chocolate that is loaded with caramel, nuts, marshmallows, etc. which add unhealthy fats and sugar. Look for dark chocolate that is at least 70% cacao for the most health benefits as it is less processed. As with every other good food, the more chocolate is processed, the more nutrients are stripped away.

If you are like me, and prefer milk chocolate, try working up to a dark chocolate by starting with a bar that is about 60% cacao. Dark chocolate is better eaten slowly, allowing it to melt in your mouth. Some people prefer to enjoy their chocolate with fresh fruit like strawberries or raspberries or even a glass of wine. Experiment with different brands too. If you still dislike it, you can find the same nutrients in other foods.