Dark Chocolate Health Benefits

Dark chocolate health benefits are many, it makes a great antioxidant treat to  help fight aging.

Dark chocolate facts –  the darker it is, the richer in flavonoids it is, it also contains many of the health benefits of dark green vegetables.  Although, this is no reason to skip your veggies.

It contains a high cocoa content, this will help provide the body with the antioxidants needed, to prevent damage caused by free radicals.

Antioxidants are substances or nutrients in plant food which can prevent or slow damage to our body.  Which is why eating foods high in antioxidants like dark chocolate can help, it also makes a yummy treat.

To enjoy the dark chocolate health benefits you only need to eat a small amount, no more than 100 grams or 3.5 ounces.  I have found the best way to include it into my diet is to cut out eating lots of other sweets.

Many people may avoid eating it, because of the saturated fat, yet this type of fat is a form of stearic acid, which is an important saturated fatty acid.  Meaning it has been shown to have a neutral effect on cholesterol.  Yet, considering the amount recommended to eat a day is very small, you will be safe.

The liver is able to convert stearic acid into a healthier monounsaturated fat.

Monounsaturated fat is probably the healthiest type of general fat, it has none of the adverse effects associated with saturated fats.

Before you rush out and buy some dark chocolate, there are a couple of things you should look for;

• Make sure it is 70% cocoa or more, I usually buy 85% cocoa, and is made from cocoa butter not fats such as palm or coconut oils.  They are all saturated fats, yet cocoa butter has a neutral effect on cholesterol levels, while palm oil and coconut oil can raise blood cholesterol.
• Does not contain milk fat.
• Does not contain soy.

Always try to buy ‘fair trade certified’, this way you are guaranteed there has been no forced or abusive child labour used.

The chocolate industry is estimated to be around $60 billion and fair trade chocolate represents about 1%.

Many cocoa farms are responsible for child slave labour, children are working in unsafe conditions, sometimes working up to 14 hours a day, are beaten and live in poverty.

As consumers we can make a difference, by buying only the best dark chocolate which is made from fair trade cocoa beans.  It may seem like a small thing to do, but if we all do it together we can help make a difference, and enjoy this yummy little treat, guilt free.

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