How to use Dark Chocolate as a Medicine.

Did you know that you can use dark chocolate as a medicine? That just sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it, but there actually is some pretty good scientific evidence out there that chocolate can indeed be good for you and even help to improve your mood and health. It is considered particularly good for people suffering from depression.

Dark chocolate contains a high proportion of soluble fibre and many essential minerals such as selenium, iron, copper, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, and zinc.

Dark chocolate, the type that is at least 70% cocoa solids, contains high amounts of flavonoids, which are very powerful antioxidants. Antioxidants are good for us because they help to capture the free radicals which attack our bodies every day. Eating bright coloured foods such as fruit and vegetables can have the same effect on our bodies, try dipping strawberries in melted dark chocolate for a quick and easy dessert or snack.

Dark chocolate also contains a fair amount of caffeine, so if you find yourself flagging as the day wears on then eating a small amount of chocolate can give you a real boost. Remember to only eat it in moderation too much will give you a short-term sugar rush but end up doing more harm than good. As a general rule a large three to five-ounce bar of dark chocolate, which contains seventy percent or over cocoa, averages eighty milligrams of caffeine

The hit of energy that dark chocolate gives your body can keep you going for the rest of the day and help you face whatever life throws at you. So, next time you feel yourself running down simply grab a bar of the good high-quality dark stuff and you will perk right up. All that and it tastes good too.

Dark chocolate can really help if you are suffering from the menopause too, as it can help to naturally regulate the internal hormone levels in the body. And as dark chocolate also helps to stimulate serotonin levels eating a few squares makes you feel good, dark chocolate is also used as a mood enhancer because it helps to reduce the stress hormone cortisol.

Regular consumption of good quality dark chocolate may even help to reduce your cholesterol levels. The antioxidants present in dark chocolate can protect oxidation of LDL cholesterol and also help to prevent artery damage in the heart. It can lower the risk of plaque forming and help to stop blood clots and reduce the chance of suffering a stroke when eaten in moderation. Dark chocolate can help to lower high blood pressure, two small squares of dark chocolate contain enough nitric oxide to lower blood pressure instantly. This can also help keep your heart healthy.

Consuming dark chocolate can boost the levels of flavonoids in the body which can help to protect the skin from sun damage caused by exposure to ultraviolet light. This can help to reduce the formation of fine lines and help to prevent brown age spots. Of course, dark chocolate won't replace the use of sunscreen so don't forget to slather on the lotion before going outside.

Antioxidants fight oxidant damage to our cells. Oxidant damage can be responsible for aggravating many human diseases, up to and including cancer and can even affect the rate at which we age. Think of it in simple terms - we rust!

Now the biggest downside of eating chocolate is that it is fattening, but you can turn that negative into a positive if you exercise more to help your body burn off those extra calories. So chocolate can even help you to lose weight. It really does seem to be too good to be true but the facts seem to prove otherwise.

All of the above only applies to high cocoa solids dark chocolate, chocolate that contains at least seventy percent cocoa solids. Unfortunately, the same health benefits cannot be gained from milk chocolate or white chocolate as it contains much lower levels of cocoa solids and white chocolate doesn’t contain any cocoa at all.

So, in conclusion, if you want to feel more alert, look younger, have low blood pressure and a healthy heart eat dark chocolate - at least until the scientists tell you otherwise.

Dark chocolate can have a calming effect on our bodies by stimulating the production of endorphins - a powerful natural painkiller. It seems to be particularly helpful as a treatment for headaches. Chocolate contains theobromine which has a very similar effect to taking the drug codeine. A nice cup of dark drinking chocolate is an excellent treatment for sore throats and coughs.

Dark chocolate is an excellent anti-inflammatory agent and as such is of use to people who suffer from extremely painful conditions such as Rheumatoid Arthritis and gout.

Eating a small amount of high cocoa solid dark chocolate every day would appear to have a multitude of health benefits. If you limit consumption to two to three squares of good quality dark chocolate it won't hurt and in all likelihood will actually help. So go ahead and enjoy that hit of chocolate goodness.