Chocolate’

Posted on Author Merci

Get out that chocolate bar and take a bite of pleasure, and bite for health.

How sweet it is…

 

How can something so incredibly delicious turn out to be so incredibly healthy.

Not that you needed any reason to indulge in chocolate (you probably already know it’s good for your blood pressure), but isn’t it delightful, delicious, and delectable that there is another one… reason that is.

I just found out that eating chocolate shaves your risk of “cardiometabolic disorders,”  this is a cluster of conditions that nobody wants, including heart disease, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.

Here’s the big surprise: We’re talking all kinds of chocolate, not just the dark types.  OK!

Even milk chocolate and cups of hot cocoa have benefits.  This is good news now that the winter weather is here I tend to drink plenty of hot cocoa,  this being  my favorite warm up drink.

Here is the kicker they ( you know those guys/gals who do the testing) are not just talking slight improvements in health,  “Research reveals that consuming a healthy amount of chocolate reduces your risk of heart disease by 37% and stroke by 29% versus eating little or none. (Not coincidentally, it also lowers your bad LDL cholesterol.) In addition, it shrinks your risk of type 2 diabetes by up to 31%”.  REALLY?

Now, I always thought chocolate was not healthy for any diabetic. Surprise, surprise, do I have chocolate on my face.  Well, not my face, her face.

I guess you want to know what’s in chocolate that makes it so good for you? Answer-  Loads of potent plant antioxidants called polyphenols, including flavonoids.

Yep, the same good-for-you substances found in blueberries, wine, green tea, and olive oil, as well as many fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.  Oh, those polyphenols’ , did you know they have the power to sooth inflammation in your body.   I can attest to the soothing power of  chocolate.  Hmmmm, Hmmmm, Good.

A Little “Dose” Will Do Ya? Okay, here it comes the kicker, you should indulge in chocolate  without overindulging.   That is  the hard part.

Most chocolate contains about 150 calories per ounce, including lots of sugar and fat. Overdo and you could actually increase the health risks you’re trying to prevent. In most of these studies, people had an ounce or two a day.  It is suggested that you get your fix from a cozy cup of hot chocolate made with real polyphenol-rich cocoa powder, no-fat milk, and sugar-free sweetener. BINGO! !

All the benefits, none of the bad stuff.

Eat chocolate and live longer.  Like I said, “HOW SWEET IT IS.”

 

Hot Chocolate Recipe:

Ingredients

  • 3 cups milk
  • 1/3 cup semisweet chocolate, grated
  • 1 tablespoon white sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 egg

Directions

  1. Put milk into a microwave-safe container and cook on High in microwave for 2 minutes. Mix in chocolate, sugar, and cinnamon. In a small bowl, whisk an egg until smooth, then mix it into the chocolate mixture.
  2. Return to microwave and cook on High for 3 to 4 minutes or until foamy (be careful not to let it boil.) Whisk until smooth and pour into 3 mugs. Garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon if desired.

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