If your diet plan is making you a humbug this time, there is some good news. Turns out dark chocolate, that decadent confection, may really be good for you!

Yes, recently carried out studies printed in the American Journal of Clinical Diet have proven that a dose of dark chocolate will heed all sorts of wholesome outcomes. And with the holidays just around the corner, this news couldn’t have arrive at a better time.

So just for fun, I believed I’d conduct a mini-research undertaking of my personal and get the &quotskinny&quot on our friend dark chocolate. Here is some of the interesting &quotfactoids&quot I came up with:

• Cocoa-the precursor to chocolate–has been around a long time. A few thousand many years, in fact. It has been believed that cocoa beans had been brought to Europe in the 1500′s by Christopher Columbus.
• Cocoa, later on made into chocolate, was offered to American Soldiers in WWII. A supply of higher energy, every solider was offered a three chocolate bar per day ration, according to historical information.
• Researchers began obtaining more involved when studies started displaying that in addition to being a higher energy meals, chocolate also seems to stimulate elevated moods. Researchers found truth to this, displaying that dark chocolate does, in fact, improve ranges of the mood-altering chemical substances this kind of as serotonin and endorphins.
• Some researchers have also gone on to conduct major studies to show the correlation between chocolate and a true physiological craving. (Examine out &quotWhy Ladies Need Chocolate,&quot created by Debra Waterhouse, Registered Dietician in 1999).
• And, the best news yet. On further study, it has been found that the &quotflavonoids&quot in dark chocolate are scientifically confirmed to act as antioxidants, stopping &quotbad&quot cholesterol (LDL) in the blood from oxidizing and clogging arteries.

So, if you are looking for a wholesome way to &quotcheat&quot this holiday time, dark chocolate may not be all collectively a poor option. Details aside, nevertheless, and prior to you run out to fill your purchasing cart complete, maintain these suggestions in mind:

• Heed the guidance of Aristotle: &quotEverything in moderation.&quot Refrain from taking the &quotchocolate factory tour.&quot Keep your chocolate fix to a minimum. Appreciate it, but make sure you do not more than do.
• When you are purchasing for chocolate, attempt to discover &quotdark&quot types with at least 70% cocoa.
• Also, make sure &quotsugar&quot or &quotbutter fat&quot are not the first products outlined.

If you’d like to skip the deal with and not the fun, deliver a virtual chocolate postcard from this fun chocolate website (no calories included) : http://www.virtualchocolate.com/index.cfm

To summarize my findings, it seems that dark chocolate is in fact our friend (and we will just depart its aphrodisiac qualities to your personal private discussion groups, thanks).

As for the cravings?.Nicely, do we really &quotneed&quot chocolate?

Survey says: Dunno. But, with the holidays upon us, a Hershey’s Special Dark Chocolate once in a while-now accessible in the &quotsugar free&quot variety, mind you–sounds sweet sufficient to me.

(Research Ref: Consume To Beat Cancer, Hatherill. 1998 St. Martins Press, New York)

About The Writer

Laura Turner, Licensed Personal Trainer has developed a series of health, fitness, and nutrition suggestions accessible at http://www.1brand-new-body.com In 21 days you can produce wholesome new you,let her show you how! Get her free report: seven Steps to a Higher Performance Body by sending a blank email to: mailto:hiperformbody@getresponse.com

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