~ Mother Earthbeats ~

Hmmm… let’s talk about Chocolate! Life on this planet would just not be the same if there was no chocolate. When they say chocolate is the food of the Gods and Goddesses, I simply have to agree.

Did you know chocolate is good for you?

The flavonoids in chocolate that laboratory studies demonstrate to have powerful antioxidant effects are called flavanols and procyanidins. These two compounds come from the flavonoid “family” that includes resveratrol, found in grape juice, and EGCG, found in green tea. When people consume these substances in chocolate and cocoa, the antioxidant status of their blood increases.

This rise in antioxidant levels helps protect us from damage to the heart and blood vessels, while it also guards our DNA from damage that can lead to cancer.

In addition, the flavanols and procyanidins in chocolate improve the function and flow of blood vessels and help control inflammation.

The antioxidants in chocolate have generated a lot of interest because studies show that these compounds are more powerful antioxidants than EGCG in tea, which is a strong antioxidant.

A cup of hot or cold cocoa may sound like a health drink loaded with antioxidants, but almost all cocoa drink mixes contain cocoa treated with alkali (also called Dutch cocoa) to produce a darker, richer taste. Unfortunately, this process drastically reduces flavonoid content.

Unless you find a chocolate mix made with untreated cocoa, start with plain cocoa (not Dutch) and add your own sweetener and milk to make a flavonoid-rich cup.

Surprisingly, the fat content of chocolate is not a reason to avoid it. Technically, chocolate contains saturated fat, but the particular type of saturated fat – stearic acid – is unique because it does not raise blood cholesterol.

Studies show that neither dark or milk chocolate is a cholesterol concern in moderate amounts. But keep in mind that other ingredients added to some chocolate candies can change their nutrition impact.

Most importantly chocolate is so very delicious and it makes one feel so good!

So, if you did not satisfy your chocolate urges with that special Christmas chocolate gift, just remember that a rich, dark. chocolate is good for any occasion, or just because. Feel free to indulge to your hearts content! You might have to work out a bit more, yet it is totally worth it, from my point of view.

If you’re looking for romantic Valentine’s Day gift ideas, have you tried Fannie May chocolate gifts? Fannie May stands for premium quality chocolate. Their Valentine’s Day Hearts are traditional on the outside, but the candies inside are anything but ordinary! Nestled inside a heart, a common symbol of romantic love, show that special someone how you feel with these delicious, quality chocolate assortments.