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                      Celebrate Life’s Sweetest Moments with Chocolate

                      Published by Life Extension

                      For those special days and holidays when we come together to celebrate, why not make it even sweeter? Celebrate with chocolate — a timeless treat that brings joy to every gathering.

                      And the best part? Studies show that indulging in chocolate — especially rich, dark chocolate — can actually be good for your health. So go ahead, savor the sweetness, and make every celebration a little more delicious.

                      “With an increasing number of studies focusing on chocolate and cardiovascular health, chocolate’s popularity is on the rise and frequently discussed in the media. The reason…is that the cocoa bean, which is one main ingredient in chocolate that is rich in flavanols, has an antioxidant effect that reduces the cell damage which is linked to heart disease,” said Jackie Carr, a registered and licensed dietician and clinical nutrition manager at Southeast Georgia Health System.

                      cocoa beans“In addition to having antioxidant qualities, research shows that flavanols have other potential benefits on vascular health, such as lowering blood pressure, improving blood flow to the brain and heart, and making blood platelets less sticky and able to clot which may have an impact on reducing your risk of heart attack and stroke.”

                      Research has shown that dark chocolate helps keep your blood vessels healthy and your circulation unimpaired to protect against Type 2 diabetes. It also reduces insulin resistance, hardens tooth enamel, helps to suppress coughs, and is loaded with a number of vitamins and minerals that can support your health — potassium, copper, magnesium and iron.

                      Carr says despite the apparent health benefits of chocolate, research has been limited to mostly short-term and uncontrolled studies, meaning more research is needed.

                      She also says that not all chocolate is made equal.

                      “Before adding a chocolate bar or a slice of chocolate cake to your daily diet, it is important to understand that not all forms of chocolate contain high levels of flavanols. Cocoa naturally has a pungent taste, which comes from the flavanols,” she said.

                      “When cocoa is processed into your favorite chocolate products, it goes through several steps to reduce this taste which, in turn, reduces the amount of flavanols present. Since most commercial chocolates are highly processed, the health benefits may be reduced or not be as prominent.”

                      Preparing homemade chocolate trufflesLuckily, most major chocolate manufacturers are looking for ways to keep the flavanols in their processed chocolates, Carr says.

                      Although it has a number of healthy benefits, chocolate is still high in fat and should be eaten sparingly.

                      “If you choose to add chocolate to your diet, do so in moderation and choose dark chocolate with a cocoa content of 65 percent or higher over milk chocolate or white chocolate,” she said.

                      “Chewy caramel-marshmallow-nut-covered dark chocolate is by no means a heart-healthy food option since it contains added fat, sugar and calories.”

                      Like any other food or candy, consuming too much chocolate can have an adverse effect on health.

                      Too much chocolate can contribute to weight gain, which can increase your risk for developing high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes.

                      “Therefore, limit yourself to around 1 ounce of dark chocolate two to three times per week, as well as including other flavonoid-rich foods like apples, peanuts, tea (in moderation), onions and cranberries in your diet,” Carr says.

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                      Life Extension
                      Life Extension
                      LIFE EXTENSION The Life Extension Health News team delivers accurate information about vitamins, nutrition and aging. Our stories rely on multiple, authoritative sources and experts. We keep our content accurate and trustworthy, by submitting it to a medical reviewer. Life Extensionists are people who believe in taking advantage of documented scientific therapies to help maintain optimal health and slow aging. The medical literature contains thousands of references on the use of antioxidant vitamins, weight loss supplements, and hormones that have been shown to improve the quality and quantity of life. Life Extensionists attempt to take advantage of this scientific information to enhance their changes of living longer in good health. This article is posted by permission of Life Extension. https://www.lifeextension.com/

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                      This website is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. FoodTrients – A Recipe for Aging Beautifully Grace O, author and creator of FoodTrients® -- a philosophy, a cookbook and a resource -- has a new cookbook dedicated to age-defying and delicious recipes, The Age Beautifully Cookbook: Easy and Exotic Longevity Secrets from Around the World, which provides one hundred-plus recipes that promote health and well-being. The recipes are built on foundations of modern scientific research and ancient knowledge of medicinal herbs and natural ingredients from around the world. Since the publication of her first anti-aging book, The Age GRACEfully Cookbook, Grace O has identified eight categories of FoodTrients benefits (Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Immune Booster, Disease Prevention, Beauty, Strength, Mind, and Weight Loss) that are essential to fighting aging, which show how specific foods, herbs, and spices in the recipes help keep skin looking younger, prevent the diseases of aging, and increase energy and vitality. Grace O combines more exotic ingredients that add age-fighting benefits to familiar recipe favorites.

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