Healthy B.P.M.

Eating dark chocolate regularly may help lower levels of inflammation, which is strongly associated with heart and blood vessel disease, Italian researchers report.

  That’s the lead in from a story posted yesterday by Reuters Health. The Italian researcher was Dr. Romina di Giuseppe of Catholic University in Campo basso, and his findings appeared in the current issue of The Journal of Nutrition. This is not your cue to purchase all things Godiva; there are some stipulations, so hold on. Doc says that you’ll likely see benefits if you eat up to one 20 gram serving very three days. Are you still excited? This isn’t a case of its good for me than more is better. While you’re in a chocolate mood let’s talk cacao.   

 Flavanols found in rich dark chocolate has been shown to reduce high blood pressure. Flavanols are powerful antioxidants that are present in fruits, vegetables and red wine. The word antioxidant gets thrown around quite a bit. We know in general that it’s something that is good for us, but can’t really put a finger on exactly what it is. Here’s the short and sweet version. Antioxidants release free radicals that clean up the debris in our circulatory system. Still scratching your head? Ok, if you take a piece of metal and pour water on it and let the water sit, the metal will start to rust. Now take a bottle of an anti-rust solution and soak the metal in it and the rust is cleaned up. That’s similar to how antioxidants containing free radicals work in our arteries, they clean up the debris.

Guilt-Free

So let go of any guilt associated with eating chocolate, a small amount is ok. While we’re on the subject of small, it’s time to clarify what that means. A 1.4 oz bar of dark chocolate is an average serving. It only contains 200 calories and 11 grams of fat. You may have to make a few substitutions to allow for it. Here’s how:
Omit a pat of butter from your toast, or a spoonful of mayonnaise from your sandwich. Consider reduced fat or fat free salad dressing. Take your coffee black, instead of with cream. That is not a bad trade off.

Fact vs. Fiction

Chocolate is not addicting. People say they “crave” chocolate, most time meaning they’d just like to have some. An addiction is a serious medical and emotional condition, which in all likelihood requires some sort of intervention. It does not cause diabetes. Tooth decay is not caused by eating chocolate. Any fermenting carbohydrate left in the mouth too long will contribute to dental problems. Chocolate is not high in caffeine. One ounce of chocolate is the equivalent of one cup of caffeinated coffee. Eating chocolate does not cause migraine headaches. Where did all these rumors get started?

Just like anything else, moderation, balance, yada yada yada, I know you’ve heard it and probably figured I’d say it. At any rate, now you’ve got a bit of science behind your chocolate fantasy. Keep this in mind, dark chocolate; not Snickers or M&M’s with peanuts or a Baby Ruth. If you’re gonna have it, spring for the good stuff.