Chocolate is one of the most revered sweets in human history. An appreciation of chocolate as a treat can be dated back to the 16th century when the cocoa bean rose to popularity in Europe. Since then chocolate can be found in just about every place you look: on fruits, pretzels, and even in ice cream. There are many reasons to absolutely adore and enjoy chocolate, not the least of which is its decadent flavor.
Let’s take a look at the top four reasons you should LOVE and enjoy chocolate whenever you get the chance!
Moderate chocolate consumption can prevent heart failure.
The last time you were shamelessly scoffing down a handful of quality chocolate did you realize you might be protecting your body? It’s true! A study conducted at the prestigious Cambridge University revealed that chocolate can play a vital role in the risk reduction of heart disease and stroke! While chocolate has a high saturated fat content it is the type of fat that we must pay attention to. Stearic acid, which is found in cocoa butter, has been found not to raise your cholesterol like other saturated fats.
Chocolate has that ‘feel good’ chemical.
You might not know what dopamine is exactly, but your body sure does! Dopamine is a chemical that is released in the brain. Basically this chemical helps you feel ‘good’. Chocolate consumption can stimulate the creation of dopamine in your body. With a healthy flow of dopamine you will always feel a little better. A low flow of dopamine in your brain can lead to certain diseases such as Parkinson’s. So keep that dark chocolate coming!
Chocolate can help you stay slim.
We know what you are thinking. How can candy keep you from gaining weight? It almost sounds too good to be true, right? Well, chocolate is comprised of mono-saturated fatty acids. These acids have been linked to an increase in your metabolism! Chocolate also slows down digestion, which leads to you feeling fuller and, subsequently, eating less at your next meal. Chocolate should be consumed in moderate amounts to keep these positives rolling. Don’t fall into the trap of eating a ton of chocolate, though! Too much of any good thing can ruin the effect!
Dark chocolate can lead to smoother skin.
Forget everything you know about acne. Chocolate alone doesn’t cause you to break out. As it turns out, it is the milk and sugar inside of low quality chocolate that creates the effect. In fact, high quality pure dark chocolate is comprised of one of the highest levels of antioxidants in the entire food kingdom. That means that a serving of pure dark chocolate can lead to cleaner, smoother, and prettier skin. Don’t go rubbing the chocolate on your face though, stick to eating it in moderation.
As kids we are raised to believe that anything tasty is bad for us. While chocolate is definitely tasty, it is not something you should feel guilty about eating. As long as you stick to quality chocolate products and eat them in moderation, you should get all of the positives without the negatives! Head over to Asher’s today and order some of your favorite chocolate!