How many of you want to have a Hershey’s or Reeses Peanut Butter Cup to satisfy your chocolate craving?
Oh my, that lusciousness is available wherever I go! Now, I don’t think I have a chocolate deficiency, as I take magnesium daily, but I certainly have the periodical craving for chocolate.
Women and chocolate? There are many substantiated reasons why women crave chocolate, while men desire foods like beer (yeasts and b-vitamin) or red meat. Research shows that chocolate cravings are linked to hormone adjustments, as the magnesium in chocolate has the ability to change the way neurotransmitters work. Before you start thinking it’s a mind game, remember chocolate cravings are more pronounced in the United States than any other part of the world. Marketing companies specifically target the female demographic and play on our emotions.
Before you put down that chocolate bar, let’s find out some important facts about chocolate then you can make the best decision when having a chocolate craving! There are many types of chocolate and most of the types are artificially processed with tons of sugar. So, before you buy, check your labels and choose bittersweet dark chocolate. Researched shows that dark chocolate is one of the healthiest treats you can opt for whenever you are craving chocolate.
Chocolate is the Food of the Gods!
Fun facts about chocolate
Chocolate helps to minimize cancer cell damage caused by free radical by the natural flavanols. The flavanols also minimize the production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) a protein that promotes the creation of new blood cells which can trigger growth of tumors allowing cancer to spread. The cacao found in dark chocolate promotes insulin sensitivity and helps reduce blood sugar levels significantly helping type 2 diabetes patients. As such, research shows that this type of chocolate can lower type 2 diabetes by a whopping 17 percent! Also, those with type 2 diabetes can consume chocolate in moderation to manage their body sugar levels.
Chocolate enhances the good cholesterol or HDL. Dark chocolate and polyphenols found in cocoa can modestly minimize the risk of heart disease by reducing LDL or bad cholesterol and enhancing HDL or good cholesterol. Now, if you are taking chocolate to achieve this, check your label. The best option is healthy dark chocolate with at least 70 percent cocoa content. It may even make you smarter! Haha.
Another important fact is that chocolate can give your brain a boost and increase your alertness for over two hours. One of chocolate’s main components, flavanols, can widen your blood vessels allowing more blood and oxygen to reach important areas of your brain which can assist you to counter fatigue and various effects of aging.
Bottom line, you can have your dark chocolate and eat it too!
Of course, I always say everything in moderation, but it’s relieving to know that we can happily enjoy our chocolate cravings without worrying about adverse effects on our health. The advantages of eating chocolate far outweigh the disadvantages. Actually, the benefits of eating chocolate don’t end with sweetness, but continue with magical benefits for our entire bodies (and minds).
Find out more about fabulous chocolate cravings and why we should eat it by Wellness Mama and Healthy Eater.
