A Chocolate a Day Might Keep the Doctor Away
Health freaks might just enervate looking at the very title of this article. The following content is quite literally for those without a mighty heart. Did you ever wonder why 
lovers often pamper each other with chocolates? If chocolates are the devil’s food, why would lovers want to feed each other that? The answer is that chocolates are exactly the opposite of the devil’s food. Chocolates have been scientifically proven to keep the heart healthy. It is probably the desire to keep each others exchanged hearts healthy that drives lovers to chocolates.
The benefits of chocolate are a result of its cocoa content in plentitude while its disadvantages are due to the presence of sugar in deluges. Cocoa (chocolate) if consumed in its purest form i.e. without milk or sugar has many beneficial effects on human health.
Following are various benefits of chocolates:
- Chocolates are an instant energy source and are hence kept handy by army men, mountaineers and hikers. They are rich in a variety of vitamins, minerals and amino acids.
- Flavonoid, a variety of antioxidant is present in chocolates in a large quantity. Antioxidants are substances that prevent or delay the oxidation of cells thereby retarding the sign of aging and curb the naturally occurring wear and tear of the body.
- Besides having antioxidant properties, flavonoids also act as anti-diarrhea medication, inhibiting the development of diarrhea.
- Chocolates have been proven to act as anticoagulant. It not only prevents blood from clotting, it also increases blood circulation.
- Sniffing chocolate bars raises the level of antibodies in the human body thereby enhancing its immune system.
- Besides other amino acids, cocoa also contains theobromine which helps curtail cough without any side effects like drowsiness.
- Chocolates have also been known to increase brain activity by releasing some neurotransmitters. Consumption of cocoa stimulates the secretion of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that makes you feel halcyon and euphoric.
- Certain studies have also shown that post-exercise consumption of cocoa not only invigorates ones body, it also helps in muscle recovery.
- Various ongoing researches have found that chocolate could be a possible cure for dementia and diabetes.
Benefits of chocolate are much heavier when weighed against its disadvantage of inducing obesity. Also, it has been found that consuming calcium laced chocolate reduces the absorption of chocolate derived fats and calories by a significant amount. So all you chocolate lovers can breathe easy and consume your daily dose of this not-so-devilish food without a hint of guilt.
