As a self-proclaimed and a self-confessed chocoholic, I have always been particularly keen about the things I come across on the Internet that talk about my favorite sweet treat. In recent years, there have been many stories about the health benefits that dark chocolates are able to provide.

Recent research brings up a certain metabolic syndrome, which is a combination of many risk factors that include an elevated blood pressure as well as high cholesterol and abdominal obesity.  This condition places a person in a position that can lead to diseases like coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes and many different types of carcinoma or cancer. The participants in the study showed no symptoms of coronary heart disease, and were not takers of any medications that can lower blood pressure.

The researchers utilized a mathematical model and standard that can assess the effects of different treatments of daily and regular intake of dark chocolate with respect to the development of heart disease.  It was discovered that a recommended daily intake of 100 grams of dark chocolate (amounting to 3.5 ounces) for a time span of ten years could provide up to 85 percent of people with fewer heart related problems.

The diverse effects of chocolates to the human body are pretty well-known. Regular consumption of chocolate is able to lower blood pressure levels by a minimum of 2, up to 5 points. Chocolates are also good sources of HDL cholesterol (dubbed as good cholesterol).

An increase in the circulation of blood has also been pointed out that benefits people from developing cardiac related diseases.  The studies have also shown that it should be dark chocolate, not milk or any white varieties. Dark chocolates contain 'flavonoids' that are responsible for a healthy cardiac condition.

Products that contain a higher cocoa content are expected to have more flavonoids than those with lower cocoa content. This is one way of
ensuring that the daily treat that people do enjoy contain health benefits that will help them in maintaining a healthy and optimum level of functioning.

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Joanna Maligaya

Staff Writer/Content Developer at Chocolate University Online

Ever since she can remember, Joanna has always considered chocolate as the ultimate food for her soul. She believes in the saying, “9 out of 10 people love chocolate, and the 10th always lies.”

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