I can't believe it's good for me!--Eight Good Reasons to Grab A Chocolate Bar

As if the world really needs another reason to grab a chocolate bar, (other than the fact that they are inherently delicious of course). As I mentioned in an earlier entry, Hypervitaminosis S: for Stupid, chocolate is one of my (many) guilty pleasures. I won't try to offer any excuses: my infatuation with the stuff is borderline unearthly. But hey, in the words of Igor in Young Frankenstein: "It could be worse."

As obsessions go, chocolate really isn't THAT bad. Of course, I am kinda opening up the doors to adult obesity, and a lifetime of dental work to eradicate the plague of cavities that may be in my future; but come on...IT'S CHOCOLATE. There have to be some benefits to be gained gobbling chocolate, other than delicious taste, right? Something that good just cant be that bad. It's completely illogical! And so, ever in pursuit of your best interests, your loving blogger (that would be me) has set out to find aforementioned "benefits", and thus validate (kinda) the acts of chocolate lovers everywhere! You are totally welcome.




1) Chocolate is choc-ful of magnesium:
     Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the body, and is essential to maintain healthy and strong bones, normal muscle, and nerve function. It helps keeps your heart rhythmically beating, your immune system functioning, and your blood pressure regular. Dark chocolate is actually a lead provider of magnesium, with a 100 gram portion providing 125% of your daily value needs. Actually, a craving for chocolate may be your body's way of telling you that you are in danger of a magnesium deficiency.


2) Chocolate contains tryptophan
     Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that the body uses to synthesize proteins. It is known for its association with the nervous system; particularly in its promotion of relaxation, restfulness, and sleep. Healthy levels of tryptophan in the body also raise serotonin levels, inducing that "feel-good" sensation: as serotonin is in charge of regulating mood, sleep, and appetite.


3) SUPER ANTIOXIDANT LEVELS!! to the rescue!!
Studies have shown that dark chocolate (but not milk or white) can serve as an excellent source of antioxidants for your body. Something about the milk content of white and milk chocolate obstructs the absorption of antioxidants, and even drinking dairy milk while eating dark chocolate, can inhibit antioxidant maximization by the body.
 
4)  Eating chocolate reduces your risk of stroke
    Strokes usually occur when blood flow to brain reaches low levels. As the brain is starved of oxygen and nutrient-rich blood: the brain cells begin to die almost immediately. Not only does chocolate provide antioxidants called flavonoids, which promote cell health, but those flavonoids also widen blood vessels, allowing for increased blood flow to the brain, and all parts of the body


5) Flavonoids in chocolate support healthy cognitive brain function
      Cognitive performance and general brain function stand to benefit greatly from the increased blood flow and circulation instigated by the flavonols in chocolate.
     
6) Chocolate may lower the risk of cardiovascular disease
      Cardiovascular health depends on wide, clear arteries: free of arterial blockage. Our friendly flavonoids help to lower blood pressure, and thus improve coronary vasodilation. With wider arteries, more blood is able to be pumped to the body.

7) Eating dark chocolate lowers the risk of diabetes
Again, the mighty flavonols in chocolate work to help our health. Flavonols help to stablilize blood sugar levels, and may also work to improve insulin sensitivity.


8) Eating Chocolate may boost your workout!
YES. My final and favorite reason to grab a chocolate bar: it may actually boost your workout! Chocolate contains Epicatechin, ANOTHER flavonol which can help improve fatigue resistance. Recently, studies have been performed to observe the effects of epicatechin on lab mice when combined with daily exercise. After a period of experimentation, it was observed that the back legs of mice who had been given doses of epicatechin in accordance with their exercise regimen, had more mitochondrial activity than those who were  subjected to the same exercise routine, but without the epicatechin. Keep in mind that those results are of lab mice, and the effects of epicatechin have yet to be observed pertaining to a human exercise schedule.


So brief summary? Chocolate=not that bad. Dark chocolate = actually good for you. Flavonols=our best friends, and Pearl=grabbing a Mars bar from the vending machine now! All this choco-talk has me craving! Ciao!
   

References:

Sears, Al. M.D. Life Is Like a Box of Chocolates. 17 Feb 2010.
      http://www.alsearsmd.com/chocolate-flavonoids/
Macdonald, Ian. Boosting Brain Power with Chocolate. 
      http://www.ultrahealthychocolate.com/medical_studies.html
 Top Ten Foods Highest in Magnesium
      http://www.healthaliciousness.com/articles/foods-high-in-magnesium.php
Tryptophan
      http://whfoods.org/genpage.php?tname=nutrient&dbid=103
Morris, Gail. Dark Chocolate and Diabetes. 2 June 2011
      http://www.livestrong.com/article/460838-dark-chocolate-diabetes/
Why You Crave Chocolate. 7 June 2008
      http://heartofwisdom.com/blog/are-you-getting-enough-magnesium/
Trivedi, Bijal P. Ancient Chocolate Found in Maya Teapot. 17 June 2002. 
      http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2002/07/0717_020717_TVchocolate_2.html
DeNoon, Daniel J. Dark Chocolate Is Healthy Chocolate. 27 Aug 2003. 
     http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20030827/dark-chocolate-is-healthy-chocolate
Reynolds, Gretchen. How Chocolate Can Help Your Workout. 3 Aug 2011
      http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/03/how-chocolate-can-help-your-workout/
Everett, Jenny.Ten Reasons to Eat Dark Chocolate. 13 Dec 2011.
      http://www.self.com/health/blogs/healthyself/2010/12/10-reasons-to-make-dark-chocol.html
Rhoades, Calli. Ten Reasons to Eat Chocolate. May 2011.
       http://www.dvo.com/newsletter/monthly/2012/may/tabletalk1.html