If that would be the case, who wouldn’t want to kick cancer’s butt? Here are some interesting  tidbits of information to help you realize how good chocolate can be for your health!

Cacao seeds contain Flavonoids (specifically Flavanols) that are chemicals found in plant-based foods that give major health benefits. Over 4,000 flavonoids have been known and almost all of it are found in fruits, vegetables and beverages such as tea, coffee, beer, wine and fruit drinks. Good thing our beloved chocolate is part of the list!

When we eat foods that have flavonoids, it just means that we also take advantage of the antioxidants in it which are believed to help the body fight cell damage.  In addition to that, studies say that flavonoids have other helpful influences on vascular health, such as lowering blood pressure and improving blood flow to the brain and heart, making blood platelets less viscous. Thus, keeping cholesterol from gathering in blood vessels. It also slows down the immune responses that lead to clogged arteries.

Eating a small bar of dark chocolate a day is beneficial for you, very beneficial for you. “Why dark chocolates,” you may ask. Not all chocolate is produced the same. Dark chocolates hold a lot more cocoa than milk and white chocolates which means dark chocolate contains more flavonoids than lighter chocolate. Since processing chocolate almost always destroys the flavonoids in chocolates, chocolate companies have learned to make dark chocolate keep its flavonoids up to 95%.

Nutrition experts advise eating flavonoid-rich foods rather than taking dietary supplements containing large amounts of flavonoids.

Aside from being decadent and delicious, chocolates are actually healthy! But that doesn't mean you can devour a whole bar of chocolate in one sitting and wait for health benefits. Remember, too much of something is bad. Moderation is always key.

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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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