Indulge in chocolate this Valentine’s Day and reap health benefits!
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. No matter who you will be spending the day with, make sure to treat yourself to a deliciously sweet chocolate treat! Read on to discover why you should make chocolate a regular part of your sweet treat cravings.
Chocolate 101
So what makes chocolate so special? Why is it a good-for-you and good-tasting treat? Well, chocolate contains flavonoids, which are nutrients that act as antioxidants. These antioxidants protect our bodies from the damaging effects of free radicals (think aging, potential heart disease etc.). The flavonoids in chocolate are major multitaskers and also work to relax blood pressure and balance various hormones.
As with fruits and vegetables, no two chocolates are alike. There are some contenders that are more beneficial for your health than others, and if you’re truly looking to glean the most health benefits out of your cocoa, you’re better off choosing dark chocolate. High in antioxidants, dark chocolate has been praised for years for its heart-healthy benefits and can actually lower your cholesterol and blood pressure if you indulge on a regular basis.
What about the other types of chocolate that fill the candy aisle? Well, white chocolate loses the health race since all the flavonoids are removed when the chocolate is processed. Chocolate with fillings like caramel or nougat doesn’t rank high on the health scale either, but dark chocolate with nuts is a-ok.
Most importantly, natural, minimally processed chocolate is best and you should look for chocolate with high percentages of cocoa, aiming for 70% or higher.
The Healthiest Chocolate Brands
Ghirardelli – This good ole mainstay makes an 86% cocoa chocolate bar called Midnight Reverie. Ghirardelli products aren’t made of organic ingredients, but they do have all-natural ingredients.
Equal Exchange – The organic chocolate bars from this brand are filled with 80% cacao and are gluten-free, vegan, and free of refined sugars.
Dagoba – The brand’s Eclipse dark chocolate bar is made up of 87% cocoa.
Divine – Divine’s Dark Mini Bars contain 70% cocoa.
What do you think about this topic? Will you indulge in chocolate this Valentine’s Day? Share your thoughts with us @_EndlessBeauty!
Image courtesy of: blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com
