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And why not? As a chocoholic I firmly believe that life’s too short to not
love chocolate. The taste, the aroma, the creamy texture, the wonderful way it
melts in your mouth and transports you to heaven - everyone should experience
this seductive pleasure at least once a week.
At this point you may wonder how chocolate became the theme of a healthy eating
newsletter? But allow me the sweet indulgence of convincing you that a bit of chocolate
can actually be good for you.
It’s not just a coincidence
that chocolate has such power over us. The cocoa in chocolate triggers the
chemical phenylethylamine, which happens to be the same hormone we release when
falling in love. Chocolate also releases the body’s feel-good hormones
serotonin and dopamine. No wonder the
ancient Mayans called it "the food of the gods"!
The
link between love and chocolate goes much deeper than just Cupid and Valentine’s
cards. It is literally good for your heart.
Here’s how chocolate does its magic: the cocoa in chocolate (especially the
dark variety) is rich in flavonoids which act as antioxidants. These
antioxidants protect your body from free radicals, which can cause damage that
leads to heart disease. Flavonoids can also relax blood vessels and lower blood
pressure, which may reduce the risk of certain illnesses, such as heart
attacks, hypertension and atherosclerosis.
The flavonoids also
help to keep your brain smart, whereas the magnesium in chocolate may help fight PMS
and alleviate cramps and the serotonin in chocolate acts as an antidepressant. There are many more reasons to enjoy chocolates.
The golden rule to remember, though, is: the darker the chocolate the better it is for your health. Dark chocolate contains the most cocoa – the magic component with all the health-boosting qualities. And, as with all good things in life, don’t go overboard – stick to only a few squares of chocolate a day.
Go on! Enjoy a piece of heaven today.
