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Chocolate Does Have Some Health Benefits, But Try To Control Yourself!

Recently dark chocolate has been touted for its health benefits that stem from its high antioxidant content.  Among other things, dark chocolate seems to improve circulation to the heart (reducing the risk of angina and heart attacks), reduce blood pressure, raise HDL (”good” cholesterol), and decrease cardiovascular mortality.

All of these are good things of course, but it should be noted that these effects occur with a relatively small amount of chocolate - about an ounce to an ounce and a half per day.  It should also be pointed out that these health benefits are for dark chocolate, preferably a minimum of 60% cacao (and higher is better), with the least amount of sugar possible.

It has been my observation that some individuals will use the potential health benefits of chocolate as a reason why they are eating it - many times a LOT of it!  There’s certainly nothing wrong with eating chocolate for its health benefits, nor is there anything wrong with eating chocolate from time to time because you enjoy it, but be careful.  One or two ounces per day is fine and the sugar content of that amount is not terribly high.  It’s a different story though when you start to snack on chocolate several times per day, and the daily intake goes way beyond an ounce or two.

Unless you are eating unsweetened chocolate, the sugar content will sneak up on you the more chocolate you consume.  It doesn’t take long before you are getting a hefty dose of sugar.  In most cases, 2 ounces of dark chocolate will have about 25 grams of sugar - which for many people is enough carbohydrate all by itself to stimulate enough insulin release to actually prevent them from burning any fat for 1 to 2 days!  For anyone with weight control issues, that’s a big deal. 

In addition, with a high sugar intake day in and day out, there is a high risk for developing Type II diabetes, which will more than wipe out any health benefit the antioxidants in the chocolate will provide. 

So, sorry to be a killjoy to all of you who were eating those candy bars because you heard chocolate was healthy.  If you enjoy a little dark chocolate for a reasonably healthy dessert - go for it.  Just don’t kid yourself that eating a candy bar every day is good for you.

For more health informationa and weight control tips, stay tuned to my natural remedies blog

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