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Chocolate Is Good For You!
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According to scientists, dark chocolate (cocoa)
has significant health benefits.
Lowers Blood Pressure
People who ate one square of a dark chocolate
bar every night reduced their blood pressure.
Healthy compounds in cocoa increase the
amount of nitric oxide which "opens up" blood
vessels.
A different study shows that eating a whole
dark chocolate bar enables blood flow through
arteries.
Reduces cholesterol
LDL cholesterol is lower in people who eat
dark chocolate everyday. The optimum dose
isn't known, but some research indicates that
it doesn't take huge amounts.
Cocao contains the same beneficial
compounds found in green tea, grapes and
wine
Known as catechins and procyanidins, they are
powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatories.
Increases endurance
Cocoa catechins help muscles generate more
energy.
Elevates mood
Cocoa has been called a drug for the bioactive
compounds it contains, including caffeine.
Research shows that cocoa can increase
serotonin in the brain. And chocolate actually
contains serotonin and dopamine—mood
enhancers.
Reduces Inflammation
Dark chocolate can reduce joint inflammation,
and the inflammation in arteries associated
with heart disease.
Chocolate eaters are more likely to survive a
heart attack. Swedish researchers discovered
that people who eat chocolate twice a week or
more were more likely to survive a heart
attack.
Counteracts chemically-induced cancer
Cocoa blocks the ability of some chemicals to
cause cancer.
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