| Chocolate is good for you? Sounds too good to be true, but the answer is a qualified yes. The disclaimer is that most forms of chocolate are not doing much for you, and may even be compromising health. The health-promoting secret of chocolate lies only in the dark variety. Dark chocolate contains more cocoa, the ingredient which is rich in a class of natural chemicals called polyphenols. These chemicals include the flavonoids, a group well known to be potent antioxidants and capable of exerting strong anti-inflammatory activity. The flavonoids in dark chocolate are held responsible for the health-promoting activity of dark chocolate. Dark chocolate contains significantly more flavonols than black tea, apples and even red wine. When taken in moderation, the benefits of flavonoids from cocoa include… 1. Lowering of blood pressure. 2. Greater blood flow to the brain via the release of nitric oxide which opens the blood vessels. 3. Antioxidant. 4. Prevents sticky blood associated with clots and strokes. 5. Raises the good HDL cholesterol and prevents damage to the arteries by bad LDL cholesterol. 6. Anti-inflammatory. 7. Boosts mood. 8. Reduction of dying from coronary heart disease by as much as 19%. How can I know how much of the good flavonoids I am getting in chocolate? The flavonoid content of milk chocolate is very low, usually around 100-150mg per 100g serving, and only 50-75mg for white chocolate. Through our associates in Japan, Kenko Nutrition™ is thrilled to bring a high-polyphenol dark chocolate to North America. This specially prepared chocolate contains a whopping 1700mg of polyphenols per each 87g (3oz.) box. Made by one of Japan’s leading companies, Meiji, the delicious dark chocolate is standardized so that you can indulge and enjoy each individually wrapped piece at your leisure – all the while knowing that you are taking in the maximum amount of health-promoting polyphenols derived from the cocoa bean. |
