2008 Woodie Awards
The power of chocolate
Michelle Colandrea
Issue date: 2/21/08 Section: Life!
Valentine's Day 2008 has officially passed, but that stash of chocolate remaining in your dorm room just won't cease to temp you. Whether you received it from your boyfriend or your mother in New Jersey, chocolate has always been associated with decadence and romance.
But did you know that chocolate has powerful health properties as well? According to studies at prominent American universities, chocolate may raise your level of good cholesterol, reduce anxiety, and fight tooth decay. You may want to think twice before tossing that leftover Valentine's candy after all.
While various studies to uncover the benefits of chocolate are still underway, researchers agree that chocolate-primarily the dark variety-could potentially have beneficial effects on cardiovascular health. Cocoa, chocolate's main bitter-tasting ingredient derived from the cacao plant, contains valuable flavanoids which have been shown to decrease blood pressure and risk of heart disease.
In addition, the cocoa contains major levels of antioxidants, which are known to prevent or delay damage to the body's cells and tissues.
But before you replace your daily vitamins with chocolate bars, remember that most of the chocolate we consume, especially milk chocolate, contains high levels of sugar, saturated fat, and calories. So when choosing that emergency bar to hide in your desk drawer, look for darker varieties, containing greater than 70% cocoa.
And remember to snack in moderation so as not to negate the health benefits by consuming unnecessary quantities of fat and sugar. One or two small dark chocolate squares are enough to reap the major health benefits.
Now, what to do with that leftover holiday chocolate? Try melting it down to cover fruit, mixing it into heated milk for a quick hot cocoa treat, or baking bits into your next batch of cookies.
And when Valentine's Day arrives again, you can confidently and guiltlessly accept that box of truffles. Just try not to eat them all at once.
But did you know that chocolate has powerful health properties as well? According to studies at prominent American universities, chocolate may raise your level of good cholesterol, reduce anxiety, and fight tooth decay. You may want to think twice before tossing that leftover Valentine's candy after all.
While various studies to uncover the benefits of chocolate are still underway, researchers agree that chocolate-primarily the dark variety-could potentially have beneficial effects on cardiovascular health. Cocoa, chocolate's main bitter-tasting ingredient derived from the cacao plant, contains valuable flavanoids which have been shown to decrease blood pressure and risk of heart disease.
In addition, the cocoa contains major levels of antioxidants, which are known to prevent or delay damage to the body's cells and tissues.
But before you replace your daily vitamins with chocolate bars, remember that most of the chocolate we consume, especially milk chocolate, contains high levels of sugar, saturated fat, and calories. So when choosing that emergency bar to hide in your desk drawer, look for darker varieties, containing greater than 70% cocoa.
And remember to snack in moderation so as not to negate the health benefits by consuming unnecessary quantities of fat and sugar. One or two small dark chocolate squares are enough to reap the major health benefits.
Now, what to do with that leftover holiday chocolate? Try melting it down to cover fruit, mixing it into heated milk for a quick hot cocoa treat, or baking bits into your next batch of cookies.
And when Valentine's Day arrives again, you can confidently and guiltlessly accept that box of truffles. Just try not to eat them all at once.