Dark Chocolate - The dark treat with bright benefits!
How many times growing up did your parents remind you to finish your chocolate? If they were like mine in many ways I’m pretty sure it wasn’t often. As it turns out now, they should have been! That’s right folks, this incredibly delectable dessert is actually good FOR you.
Dark chocolate is full of epicatechin, an active member in a group called plant flavonoids. Epicatechin helps to reduce stiffness in blood vessels, promoting better blood flow, and better blood flow is key in order to have a healthier heart. You may be asking yourself, “Well couldn’t I find better sources of flavanoids and epicatechin in other foods?” Surprisingly, the answer is no. Dark chocolate contains more flavanoids than any other food including green tea and red wine.
Now before you sit down with a platter full of chocolate, and attempt to eat your way to complete heart health remember this: All chocolate by itself is very high in calories, so, like with most things, moderation would probably serve you best. Even then, if you like to indulge yourself once in a while in a milk chocolate bar why not switch to dark chocolate and reap some of the health benefits as well?
Carl McMinn- Guest Writer