Chocolate: new wonder food hosts health benefits

While there have been countless studies examining the impact that chocolate has on our health, astounding new research has discovered that chocolate might actually be good for us. Furthermore, scientists in California have suggested that those who regularly eat chocolate may actually have a lower body mass index, or BMI, than those who don’t.

A food which people have enjoyed for nearly 2000 years have recently emerged as something of a health food, amongst various reports which have been analysing the sweet stuff in a range of studies. The smell, taste and texture of chocolate is something which appeals to millions of people across the world, and has done for many years.

Chocolate is a well-known comfort food and recent research has discovered that, in a group of 30 adults, eating just an ounce and a half of dark chocolate each day greatly reduced the stress levels and emotional anxiety of those who felt stressed. There are also health benefits to this wonder product, with the flavonoids and other ingredients in cocoa being good for the body. It may help to treat migraines, as well as having anti-inflammatory effects and improving cardiovascular problems in those with type 2 diabetes. The flavonoids in cocoa can help to lower blood pressure, which in turn has a positive effect on reducing heart disease, and can also reduce the risk of colon cancer.

Although scientists suggest not taking the health benefits of chocolate at face value, as there are varying amount of cocoa in different chocolate brands, when eaten as part of a healthy diet it may have a positive effect on your health. When choosing chocolate, try to find those with as high amount of cocoa in as possible, so as to benefit from the health boosting qualities and the antioxidants found in dark chocolate.

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