Week 3 Tip of the Day Thursday: Dark Chocolate
Dark Chocolate: Can I Eat it Everyday?!
10/12/17
Everyone loves chocolate! But are you eating the right chocolate? Yes, there is such thing as right chocolate. The one I'm referring to is actually considered a "superfood." Everyone always wonders how much can I eat or how much is considered good for me or what kind should I eat? Well you are about to get your lesson on chocolate right now!
Dark chocolate has become an acceptable snack for wannabe health eaters. However, you really need to know which kind of chocolate is good for your health and which one is good for giving you diabetes. When choosing which dark chocolate to snack on, the number you need to look for is at least 70% cocoa on the label. The higher the cocoa percentage the lower the sugar content will be and the higher the fat content will be. However, the higher the cocoa percentage means the chocolate will have a more bitter taste to it.
When you get the right dark chocolate, you are setting yourself up to improve your health in many different ways. Here are 5 known health benefits when you consume dark chocolate:
1) Dark Chocolate is a Powerful Source of Antioxidants: Dark Chocolate is loaded with organic compounds that are biologically active and act as antioxidants. Dark chocolate has a wide variety of powerful antioxidants, polyphenols and flavanols, than blueberries, acai berries, and most other foods.
2) Dark Chocolate May Improve Blood Flow and Lower Blood Pressure: The flavanols from the cocoa in the dark chocolate can improve blood flow in the arteries, blood flow to the heart, and blood flow to the brain
3) Dark Chocolate is Good for Overall Cholesterol Profile: The polyphenols found in the chocolate may be involved in controlling cholesterol and a three week consumption polyphenol-rich dark chocolate increased HDL (the good) cholesterol.
4) Dark Chocolate Improves Cognitive Function: The flavanols from the cocoa in dark chocolate, from either acute or chronic ingestion, is associated with increasing blood flow to the cerebral gray matter and may be beneficial for people with dementia and stroke
5) Dark Chocolate Help Aid in Blood Pressure and Blood Sugar: The flavanoids from the cocoa in the dark chocolate has shown to lower blood pressure and also decrease fasting blood sugar.
Some good brands of dark chocolate I would recommend are Alter Eco, Equal Exchange, Theo, and Lindt. Remember 70% and above is what you want for the healthy benefits. The amount you eat is also important. Even though dark chocolate is healthy you can't eat the whole bar because that would contain a lot of fat. The perfect amount of chocolate to eat a day is 3-4 ounces but in divided doses spread throughout the day.
So you chocolate lovers this is some good news for you except if you are a Reese's fanatic! Pick the right brand and consume the right amount per day and you've struck health gold!
See everyone tomorrow for Fun Friday!
Best,
Ryan
10/12/17
Everyone loves chocolate! But are you eating the right chocolate? Yes, there is such thing as right chocolate. The one I'm referring to is actually considered a "superfood." Everyone always wonders how much can I eat or how much is considered good for me or what kind should I eat? Well you are about to get your lesson on chocolate right now!
Dark chocolate has become an acceptable snack for wannabe health eaters. However, you really need to know which kind of chocolate is good for your health and which one is good for giving you diabetes. When choosing which dark chocolate to snack on, the number you need to look for is at least 70% cocoa on the label. The higher the cocoa percentage the lower the sugar content will be and the higher the fat content will be. However, the higher the cocoa percentage means the chocolate will have a more bitter taste to it.
When you get the right dark chocolate, you are setting yourself up to improve your health in many different ways. Here are 5 known health benefits when you consume dark chocolate:
1) Dark Chocolate is a Powerful Source of Antioxidants: Dark Chocolate is loaded with organic compounds that are biologically active and act as antioxidants. Dark chocolate has a wide variety of powerful antioxidants, polyphenols and flavanols, than blueberries, acai berries, and most other foods.
2) Dark Chocolate May Improve Blood Flow and Lower Blood Pressure: The flavanols from the cocoa in the dark chocolate can improve blood flow in the arteries, blood flow to the heart, and blood flow to the brain
3) Dark Chocolate is Good for Overall Cholesterol Profile: The polyphenols found in the chocolate may be involved in controlling cholesterol and a three week consumption polyphenol-rich dark chocolate increased HDL (the good) cholesterol.
4) Dark Chocolate Improves Cognitive Function: The flavanols from the cocoa in dark chocolate, from either acute or chronic ingestion, is associated with increasing blood flow to the cerebral gray matter and may be beneficial for people with dementia and stroke
5) Dark Chocolate Help Aid in Blood Pressure and Blood Sugar: The flavanoids from the cocoa in the dark chocolate has shown to lower blood pressure and also decrease fasting blood sugar.
Some good brands of dark chocolate I would recommend are Alter Eco, Equal Exchange, Theo, and Lindt. Remember 70% and above is what you want for the healthy benefits. The amount you eat is also important. Even though dark chocolate is healthy you can't eat the whole bar because that would contain a lot of fat. The perfect amount of chocolate to eat a day is 3-4 ounces but in divided doses spread throughout the day.So you chocolate lovers this is some good news for you except if you are a Reese's fanatic! Pick the right brand and consume the right amount per day and you've struck health gold!
See everyone tomorrow for Fun Friday!
Best,
Ryan
Comments
Post a Comment