Is Chocolate A New Health Food?

Could it be possible that our beloved chocolate may actually be good for us? This is the nutrition news we have all been waiting for. So here is the scoop on chocolate and its health benefits. Yes, you read right, health benefits!

Recent studies show that cocoa and dark chocolate with a high cocoa content contain many heart-healthy antioxidants. They contain a compound called flavonoids which may help prevent the oxidation of LDL (bad) cholesterol and raise HDL (good) cholesterol levels in the blood. There is also some evidence that these flavonoids may prevent certain cancers.

It is important that we are all on the same page here, not all chocolate have these health benefits. The healthy flavonoids found in chocolate are found in the cocoa butter and cocoa solids. Milk chocolate is diluted with milk and sugar and contains little amounts of these substances, therefore providing fewer health benefits. So, for those of you who love dark chocolate this is your lucky day! The darker the chocolate, the higher the cocoa content and the more antioxidants it contains. The quality of the chocolate you consume is also important. The cocoa butter is quite pricey so less expensive brands will replace the cocoa butter with milk fats and hydrogenated oils which are bad for our health. Look for high quality chocolates with their main ingredients being cocoa butter and cocoa solids. Unsweetened cocoa powder is one of the purest forms of chocolate you can eat and is lower in fat and calories than other chocolates.

Although this is great news for all chocolate lovers, don't forget that most chocolate (unless you use unsweetened cocoa powder) does still contain sugar and saturated fat.

And please remember calories. An ounce of chocolate contains around 135 calories. So enjoy a cup of hot cocoa or an ounce of chocolate once in awhile to contribute to your health and not to your waistline!

Owner of Real Living Nutrition Services, Meri Raffetto is a recognized professional in the area of nutrition and wellness. She has received a bachelor's degree in both nutrition and psychology and has extensive experience in nutrition counseling and medical nutrition therapy. She offers individual nutrition counseling and has developed one of the only non-diet online weight management programs available on the internet. Meri specializes in weight management, cardiovascular health, and sports nutrition and consults with professional athletes at Titan Sports Performance Center. Her practice includes teaching people how to eat for endurance, improve vitality, and lose weight healthfully. For more information visit http://www.reallivingnutrition.com

family-safe home cleaners Lincolnshire ..
In The News:

Chrome faces its sixth zero-day attack in 2025 as Google patches critical V8 engine flaw CVE-2025-10585 discovered by Threat Analysis Group.
The Hypershell X Ultra exoskeleton features 12 terrain modes and carbon fiber construction to enhance hiking, cycling and outdoor adventures.
Personal data from public records and data brokers helps scammers create tailored scam stories, making their calls and emails more believable to potential victims.
Uber Eats partners with drone delivery startup Flytrex to test autonomous food delivery services in U.S. markets, marking the company's first investment in drone technology.
OpenAI announces 120-day plan to strengthen ChatGPT safeguards for teens, including parental controls and expert council on AI wellbeing.
Spam emails can help improve security — if reported correctly. Learn how to report spam across major email services and get key tips to protect your inbox and personal data.
Harvard researcher Avi Loeb says comet 3I/ATLAS weighs 33 billion tons and spans 3.1 miles, making it far larger than previous interstellar visitors.
The Glassboro Public School District in New Jersey has partnered with ZeroEyes and InformaCast to detect visible firearms and alert staff and law enforcement within seconds.
Hackers use fake Google search results to trick users into downloading lookalike apps laced with malware that have been pushed to the top.
Generative A.I. has lowered barriers for sophisticated cyberattacks as hackers exploit ChatGPT and other tools to forge documents and identities.
IOS 26's new features include bigger lock screen clocks, dirty lens alerts, and improved spam detection for iPhones.
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
Sophisticated phishing scams now exploit Apple's iCloud Calendar invite system to bypass spam filters and trick users into calling fake support numbers.
Complete guide to medication tracking apps for iPhone and Android users, featuring built-in Health apps, MediSafe, MyTherapy, and smart pill dispensers.
Alef Aeronautics plans to begin production of its electric flying car Model A by late 2025, following FAA approval for limited testing at five airport locations.
Five common overpayment scams use fake checks and third-party payment requests to steal money from unsuspecting victims across various scenarios.
The Robeta Ananya luxury camper van features a full living room, ceiling bed, washer-dryer, and complete kitchen starting at $295,000 for the limited Founders' Edition.
Scammers exploit retirees' trust and assets through fake debt collection calls, but proper verification methods and reporting can stop these fraudulent schemes.
Social media scams are rising as fraudsters create fake accounts and buy verification badges to deceive users, but these simple safety steps can protect you.
The new groundbreaking Paris Solar-Battery Park in Wisconsin provides renewable energy day and night by capturing excess energy from its solar panels.
Travelers face increased risks from fake Wi-Fi networks at airports and on flights as attackers exploit growing reliance on in-flight internet for entertainment and services.
Older Android phones, tablets and car systems will lose access to new Waze features as the app drops support for Android versions below 10.
Research shows iPhone owners' overconfidence in Apple security makes them easier targets for cybercriminals compared to Android users who take more precautions.
Five key tech terms reshaping online shopping from mobile payments and instant delivery to social media commerce and inventory-free retail models.
AI browsers from Microsoft, OpenAI and Perplexity can fall for scams faster than humans, completing fraudulent purchases and clicking malicious links without verification.

3 Important Differences Between White Bread and Whole Wheat

For any kid who grew up eating doughy, thick Wonder... Read More

Discover Which Fruit and Vegetables Help Relieve Arthritic Pain

If you or someone you know suffers from rheumatoid arthritis,... Read More

Post Workout Nutrition: Secrets to a Hard, Lean Body

As you've probably heard before, your post-workout meal may very... Read More

The Sugar-Coated Truth

It is believed that cane sugar was discovered before the... Read More

Heart Friendly Foods

Heart disease results when plaque builds up inside the arterial... Read More

Anti oxidants ? Why Its a Must in Your Diet

While oxygen is the key to human survival, it is... Read More

Nutrition Know-how: Seven Simple Ways to Eat Healthier (with Strawberry Orange Sorbet Recipe)

The key to better health is learning the difference between... Read More

The Truth About Omega 3

Since Dr Basant Puri, a consultant psychiatrist and senior lecturer... Read More

9 Tips to Stop Food Cravings and Help You With Your Diet

Most of us are "regular" people. We don't eat the... Read More

How Food Affects Mood

Everyone can benefit from understanding how food affects our... Read More

Create Your Own Diet...Quickly & Easily:

If you are like most people, you've tried dieting before.... Read More

Eating Healthy -- Why?

The most incredible thing you can do for yourself is... Read More

Just What Is A Carbohydrate Anyway?

During a recent discussion with my father about low carb... Read More

Food Labels: Fact or Fiction?

How often do you pick up items at the grocery... Read More

Finding Your Reason Why to be Healthy

The most incredible thing you can do for yourself is... Read More

Death, Aging, Rejuvenation (Part 3)

AgingHow did aging appeared?If mechanism of Death was chosen by... Read More

Good Eggs -- Rediscover The Simple Pleasures of Eggs!

Health food or heart attack on a plate? Eggs had... Read More

Refrigerator Water Filters vs. Bottled Water: Round 1

Water is the single most important element for human existence,... Read More

Five Steps to a Healthier Heart

Step 1: Eat five to ten servings per day of... Read More

Confessions of a Personal Fitness Trainer

Last year I had a number of clients who started... Read More

Dietary Guideline USA

Are you sick and tired of the confusion about our... Read More

The Portfolio Diet: The Solution to Heart Disease

What if there was a combination of foods that were... Read More

What You Eat Can Protect Your Skin from the Sun

(ARA) - By now you probably think you've heard all... Read More

Glorious Summer Greens

Summer brings a lot of fantastic things with it, but... Read More

What about Potassium?

Information on potassiumWhen you read about potassium and senate document... Read More

after renovation cleaning Bannockburn ..