Antioxidants in raw chocolate are not being discussed in many of the articles I have been reading. I think it is something that needs to be discussed in detail. Many discuss the euphoric values of raw chocolate and it is true, raw chocolate will give you a feeling of well being But I think it is being exaggerated in most cases.

The value of antioxidants in raw chocolate in our diets is beneficial in many different aspects of our health and well being. Antioxidants are essential in destroying free radicals in our bodies, these destroy healthy cells and cause all sorts of sicknesses.

Also antioxidants help to build up healthy cells that keep us free from sicknesses and diseases. This does not mean that antioxidants are the only thing that does that, there are many other natural compounds that help in those areas as well, raw chocolate is just one of them.

Raw chocolate is an excellent source of antioxidants. The USDA laboratories have prepared a list of about two hundred and fifty different foods and tested them for antioxidant levels. It's called ORAC values, which when translated it means Oxygen Radical Absorption Capacity. The ability to gobble up the free radicals that are destroying healthy cells in your body.

Antioxidants in raw chocolate are higher than in any other food that was tested except for two different spices. The ORAC tests show that the higher the ORAC value the higher the antioxidant level. Raw chocolate has an ORAC value of 82,000, extremely high. The two spices are cinnamon with an ORAC value of 267,000 and Cloves with an ORAC value of 314,000.

These values come from 100 grams of each of the foods tested. There are a number of laboratories that test foods For ORAC values and they all vary in their test results. That is because the substances tested come from different soils and different areas. But the results are unmistakable, the values are nearly the same every where the testing is done.

Antioxidants in raw chocolate are valuable in many different areas of health. It has been clinically proven raw chocolate reduces blood pressure. Raw chocolate reduces cholesterol and so has a positive effect on those with heart disease.

Clinical studies have proven that raw chocolate has a positive effect on cancer because of its high concentration of antioxidants. There are many other areas where raw chocolate has positive benefits and pain is one of those.

The last seven or eight years there have been a number of studies done on the affect antioxidants have on pain. These studies have been done in different parts of world all coming to the same conclusion. Antioxidants do reduce pain.

I have been suffering with osteo arthritis in both of my knees for many years so as a result of my antioxidant research I decided to try raw chocolate for relief of the pain. I now walk about without the use of canes, and most days I feel no pain at all.

I recently had to undergo surgery to move a nerve that was being pinched in my elbow. The surgeon told me it would be an extremely painful procedure. I asked him how painful, he told me on a scale of one to ten, open heart surgery would be a one and the surgery I was going to have would be a twelve.

Needless to say that worried me a little. So I decided not to rely on raw chocolate alone. I concocted a blend of warm tea which consisted of 1/8 teaspoon of cinnamon and 1/8 teaspoon of ground cloves. I did not use hot water because that would destroy much of the antioxidant value. I used warm water only.

I drank four large cups of that concoction each day for a week before surgery and a week after surgery, along with my daily bit of chocolate. I had absolutely no pain at all, a little bit of an ache like I had been bruised a little, but no pain at all. Proof enough for me of the benefits of antioxidants for pain relief.

I am going to write another article soon about the differences in chocolates, what are really healthy and what are not and the reasons why.

When you read this article look in the column on the right and you will find a place you can contact me. it says contact Grant . send me an e-mail and I will answer your questions to the best of my ability. If you are interested in what chocolate me and my family use I will be happy to share that information.

Antioxidants in raw chocolate are very beneficial, it has been proven. Good raw chocolate is comparable to gourmet chocolates only much better for you, and they taste really good too.

Good health to you