As women, we sure love to eat chocolate, but always refer to it as the “forbidden food” that should only be eaten as a very rare treat, because it could perhaps “widen” our hips a bit too much.
Chocolate, was given the romantic name “food of the Gods” from the ancient Mayans for a reason, because that first taste of chocolate, is like heaven to your mouth. The way it melts, driving your taste buds cazy, creating bliss for just those few seconds is a sensation that is hard to forget, leaving your mouth watering and wanting more.
Well, here’s some awesome news for all those chocaholics out there . . . if chocolate is eaten in moderation, it’s actually very healthy – it has been scientifically proven that chocolate protects the brain and is good for the heart. People who eat an average of two chocolate bars a week are less likely to have a stroke or heart problems.
A study conducted by the University of Cambridge showed that people who eat more than two bars of chocolate per week are at lesser risk of stroke and heart problems. – Health24
More than 300 natural occurring chemicals are found in chocolate and it was found that it has potent antioxidants in it called phenols. Cocoa phenols actually prevent bad cholesterol from causing plaque build-up in the arteries.
Contrary to popular belief, chocolate really does not contain that much caffeine. Whereas a cup of coffee contains 100mg of caffeine, an average chocolate bar contains only 10 mg of caffeine.
If you’re feeling that powerful craving for chocolate, perhaps you should cave in more regularly. A substance called phenyl ethylamine is found in chocolate and seems to trigger feelings similar to “falling in love”. Because chocolate is so delicious, this tends to excite our taste buds and release endorphins from the brain. These are the body’s “feel good” chemical.
There is also a connection between chocolate cravings and hormonal fluctuations in women. So, the next time you feel that you are craving chocolate, ladies, you probably really are.
Of course, just as with everything we eat, so moderation is the key with chocolate. But at least now you know that the next time you are dying for your favourite treat, you can grab it knowing that it’s not a sin, but actually beneficial to your diet.
Besides . . . you deserve to indulge yourself once in a while. – By Danielle Sheedy