[et_pb_section admin_label=”Section” fullwidth=”on” specialty=”off”][et_pb_fullwidth_header admin_label=”Fullwidth Header” title=”Health Tip” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” header_fullscreen=”off” header_scroll_down=”off” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”off” content_orientation=”center” image_orientation=”center” custom_button_one=”off” button_one_letter_spacing=”0″ button_one_use_icon=”default” button_one_icon_placement=”right” button_one_on_hover=”on” button_one_letter_spacing_hover=”0″ custom_button_two=”off” button_two_letter_spacing=”0″ button_two_use_icon=”default” button_two_icon_placement=”right” button_two_on_hover=”on” button_two_letter_spacing_hover=”0″ subhead=”June 2017″]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_fullwidth_header][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” saved_tabs=”all”]<\/p>\n
The Benefits of Dark Chocolate!!<\/p>\n
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By Sharon C. Groves
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Come Over to the Dark Side! No, we\u2019re not talking about Darth Vader. We\u2019re talking about cocoa\u2026\u2026aka DARK CHOCOLATE. Yes, it is healthy for you.
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\nChocolate was once highly valued and considered as \u201cNectar of the Gods\u201d. Chocolate is a range of foods derived from cocoa, mixed with finely powdered sugar to produce a solid confectionery.
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\nThere are three types: Milk chocolate is made with milk and sugars and is only about 10% cocoa.While not devoid of all nutrients, there may be a better choice. Cadbury is the brand leader in the United Kingdom and Hershey\u2019s is most popular in the USA.
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\nDark chocolate, also known as \u201cplain\u201d or \u201cblack\u201d chocolate adds fat and sugar with a lower amount of milk or no milk at all. Dark chocolate can be eaten as is, or used in cooking. Cocoa percentages usually range from 70% to 99%. \u201cDark\u201d is also known as semisweet and extra dark as bittersweet. Percentages of cocoa in chocolate varies widely.
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\nWhite chocolate is made from sugar, milk, and cocoa butter without cocoa solids.
\nDon\u2019t forget cocoa powder and how our moms fixed us cups of hot cocoa on a chilly morning with buttered toast. Yum!
\n[spacer height=”02px”]
\nWith all the talk about how certain types of chocolate are good for you, it\u2019s easy to find an excuse to eat it. But before you start eating chocolate bar after bar, there is a small catch to all this. Chocolate, no matter the type, is still a source of calories and because it tastes oh-so-good, it’s easy to overdo it.
\n[spacer height=”02px”]
\nThe question remains: Milk Chocolate vs. Dark Chocolate? Although milk chocolate may taste great, it’s not nearly as good for you as dark chocolate. This is because milk chocolate contains less original cocoa bean than dark chocolate. Although milk chocolate does contain cocoa solids, it’s often diluted with milk, sugar, and cream.
\n[spacer height=”02px”]
\nPlus, not all chocolates are created equal. To get the health benefits, you really have to know which chocolate bar offers the most amount of nutrients and the least amount of calorie-ridden fat and sugar. Shoot for chocolate that is at least 80% or higher in cocoa and NOT processed with alkali. Processing with alkali renders less flavanols. This is called \u201cDutching\u201d.
\n[spacer height=”02px”]
\nCocoa is a fabulous source of flavonoids, a special class of antioxidants that are the primary reason chocolate is now considered to be a good-for-you treat.
\n[spacer height=”02px”]
\nThe higher the percentage of cocoa, the more flavonoids, and the better for you the chocolate becomes. Plus, dark chocolate varieties often have less added sugar and fat which can also improve it\u2019s overall nutritional value.
\n[spacer height=”02px”]
\nFlavonoids are often found in wine, fruits, vegetables, and, of course, dark chocolate. They have been shown to reduce the amount of cell damage often implicated in heart disease, improve vascular functions, and can assist in lowering blood pressure. Flavonoids can also enhance the power of vitamin C and prevent inflammation throughout the body when eaten in proper amounts. Some studies have also shown that they may be beneficial in keeping blood glucose levels stable and may help normalize cholesterol levels as well.
\n[spacer height=”02px”]
\nAnother point to remember when choosing chocolate is, currently the FDA does not allow a product to be labeled as \u201cchocolate\u201d if contains vegetable fats or oils. However, some are labeled as \u201cchocolatey\u201d or \u201cmade with chocolate\u201d as with Hershey\u2019s Mr. Goodbar.<\/p>\n
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[\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Benefits of Dark Chocolate!! [spacer height=”03px”] By Sharon C. Groves [spacer height=”02px”] Come Over to the Dark Side! No, we\u2019re not talking about Darth Vader. We\u2019re talking about cocoa\u2026\u2026aka DARK CHOCOLATE. Yes, it is healthy for you. [spacer height=”02px”] Chocolate was once highly valued and considered as \u201cNectar of the Gods\u201d. Chocolate is a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7207,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"The Benefits of Dark Chocolate!!\r\n\r\nBy Sharon C. Groves\r\n\r\nCome Over to the Dark Side! No, we\u2019re not talking about Darth Vader. We\u2019re talking about cocoa\u2026\u2026aka DARK CHOCOLATE. Yes, it is healthy for you.\r\n\r\nChocolate was once highly valued and considered as \u201cNectar of the Gods\u201d. Chocolate is a range of foods derived from cocoa, mixed with finely powdered sugar to produce a solid confectionery.\r\n\r\nThere are three types: Milk chocolate is made with milk and sugars and is only about 10% cocoa.While not devoid of all nutrients, there may be a better choice. Cadbury is the brand leader in the United Kingdom and Hershey\u2019s is most popular in the USA.\r\n\r\nDark chocolate, also known as \u201cplain\u201d or \u201cblack\u201d chocolate adds fat and sugar with a lower amount of milk or no milk at all. Dark chocolate can be eaten as is, or used in cooking. Cocoa percentages usually range from 70% to 99%. \u201cDark\u201d is also known as semisweet and extra dark as bittersweet. Percentages of cocoa in chocolate varies widely.\r\nWhite chocolate is made from sugar, milk, and cocoa butter without cocoa solids.\r\nDon\u2019t forget cocoa powder and how our moms fixed us cups of hot cocoa on a chilly morning with buttered toast. Yum!\r\nWith all the talk about how certain types of chocolate are good for you, it\u2019s easy to find an excuse to eat it. But before you start eating chocolate bar after bar, there is a small catch to all this. Chocolate, no matter the type, is still a source of calories and because it tastes oh-so-good, it's easy to overdo it.\r\nThe question remains: Milk Chocolate vs. Dark Chocolate? Although milk chocolate may taste great, it's not nearly as good for you as dark chocolate. This is because milk chocolate contains less original cocoa bean than dark chocolate. Although milk chocolate does contain cocoa solids, it's often diluted with milk, sugar, and cream.\r\nPlus, not all chocolates are created equal. To get the health benefits, you really have to know which chocolate bar offers the most amount of nutrients and the least amount of calorie-ridden fat and sugar. Shoot for chocolate that is at least 80% or higher in cocoa and NOT processed with alkali. Processing with alkali renders less flavanols. This is called \u201cDutching\u201d.\r\nCocoa is a fabulous source of flavonoids, a special class of antioxidants that are the primary reason chocolate is now considered to be a good-for-you treat.\r\nThe higher the percentage of cocoa, the more flavonoids, and the better for you the chocolate becomes. Plus, dark chocolate varieties often have less added sugar and fat which can also improve it\u2019s overall nutritional value.\r\nFlavonoids are often found in wine, fruits, vegetables, and, of course, dark chocolate. They have been shown to reduce the amount of cell damage often implicated in heart disease, improve vascular functions, and can assist in lowering blood pressure. Flavonoids can also enhance the power of vitamin C and prevent inflammation throughout the body when eaten in proper amounts. Some studies have also shown that they may be beneficial in keeping blood glucose levels stable and may help normalize cholesterol levels as well.\r\nAnother point to remember when choosing chocolate is, currently the FDA does not allow a product to be labeled as \u201cchocolate\u201d if contains vegetable fats or oils. However, some are labeled as \u201cchocolatey\u201d or \u201cmade with chocolate\u201d as with Hershey\u2019s Mr. Goodbar.","_et_gb_content_width":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[84],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7204","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-healthcare"],"yoast_head":"\n