Why is Dark Chocolate Good for Me?

"Let food be your medicine and your medicine be your food. Each one of the substances in a person's diet, acts upon the body and changes it in some way, and upon these changes the whole life depends, whether in health, in sickness or convalescent."  

Hippocrates 2 000 years ago.

Table of Contents

• What Kind of Dark Chocolate is Good for Me?
• Why is Dark Chocolate good for Depression?
• Why is Dark Chocolate Good for Me to Help Lower Blood Pressure?
• Dark Chocolate May Reduce Heart Disease Risk.
• Dark Chocolate for the Immune System.
• Why is Dark Chocolate Good For Asthma Symptoms?
• Help for Dementia with Dark Chocolate.
• How Much Dark Chocolate Should You Eat Per Day?

Why is Dark Chocolate good for me you ask? 

We are not even sure where to begin listing the benefits of dark chocolate but perhaps just start by saying that many people agree it is not only incredibly healthy and nutritious, but is also delicious to eat!

And it must be noted that, here we are talking real dark chocolate and not processed and sweetened milk chocolate. 

One of the standard benefits of dark chocolate is its potential to postively impact our mood and mental health.  Dark chocolate contains compounds that cam simulate the production of endorphins, which are known as "feel-good" hormones.

Additionally dark chocolate contains serotonin precursors, which can help regulate mood and alleviate symptoms of depression.

Additionally, dark chocolate has shown potential in reducing the risk of heart disease. 

A quality dark chocolate has plenty of potassium, phosphorus, zinc and selenium. It also contains a decent amount of soluble fiber, and is loaded with minerals such as magnesium, copper and manganese.

The fats contained in cocoa and dark chocolate are mostly saturated and monounsaturated, with small amounts of polyunsaturated fat.

What Kind of Dark Chocolate is Good for Me?

You need to find a dark chocolate that contains 70% or more of cocoa, that has been cold pressed and not heated above 160° to maintain the existance of the antioxidants and other nutrients.

Why is Dark Chocolate good for Depression?

One of the surprising benefits of dark chocolate is that it could boost mood and relieve the symptoms of depression. Dark chocolate is made from cocoa butter instead of milk based butter which contains small amounts of Anandamide and is similar in structure to the component used in certain cannabis oil products which provides a mood and energy boost without the risk of addiction.

Why is Dark Chocolate Good for me to help Lower Blood Pressure?

While fruit, vegetables and tea are known sources of antioxidants, research shows that the cocoa bean is more potent, with one of the highest concentrations of antioxidants and beneficial nutrients around.

Dark chocolate is rich in minerals such as magnesium and copper and these minerals help to regulate our blood pressure and thereby maintaining proper heartbeat levels. Dark chocolate also contains a component called theobromine which can help lower blood pressure because it dilates the blood vessels. So you may succumb to the need for chocolate and not feel guilty,  as long as it is dark chocolate,  and meets the specifications above.

Dark Chocolate May Reduce Heart Disease Risk.

The compounds in dark chocolate appear to be highly protective against the oxidation of LDL. In the long term, this should cause much less cholesterol to lodge in the arteries, resulting in a lower risk of heart disease. In fact, several long-term observational studies show a fairly drastic improvement.

Dark chocolate for the Immune System.

Whilst causing damage to cells, they are impairing the immune system which leads to infections and various degenerative diseases such as heart disease and cancer. So enjoy your dark chocolate and scare the hell out of those free radicals.

Dark Chocolate has a potent antioxidant content, which is a treat for your immune system. Antioxidants can be looked upon as the "infantry" because they are the natural soldiers that help protect the body from harmful free radicals. Free radicals are molecules out looking for trouble!! These molecules have lost an electron and in their frantic search to find another one, they will destroy healthy cells in their path and so doing also create more free radicals.

Why is Dark Chocolate Good For Asthma Symptoms?

Cocoa contains a component called theobromine, which is thought to make dark chocolate an efficient remedy for coughs and prevents symptoms of asthma because it helps to open up airways. Unlike other Asthma medications it does not make you drowsy. However, it is important to note that dark chocolate should not replace conventional asthma treatments and should be consumed in moderation.

Help for Dementia with Dark Chocolate.

Another reason why dark chocolate is good for us is because it is believed to help improve brain function, focus and memory, which could only lend a hand to those people suffering from dementia. The flavanols in dark chocolate have been shown to improve cognitive function, enhance blood flow to the brain and protect neurons from damage.

How Much Dark Chocolate Should You Eat Per Day?

• 1-2ozs ounces or 30-60 grams per day, more than that and you will be consuming too many calories.

YOUR NATURAL MEDICINE CHEST

What to Keep in your Medicine Chest

Arnica

Keep a tube of this cream for relief for muscle strains as well as bruises.

Calendula

Get this from your health shop in a cream or gel form and use as a salve for burns, cuts, scrapes and insect bites

Chammomile

Use the dried flowers to make a tea and use for stressful situations and also stomach upsets.

Echinacea

You can get these at your health shop as an  extracts or capsuled and use for colds, flu, cuts, infections and scrapes.

Eucalyptus

An absolute must for your herbal medicine chest for respiratory congestion and muscle soreness.

Ginger

Use this herb as a fresh root from your veggie store, or if you like gardening, grow them, it is an excellent medication for colds, respiratory congestion, nausea and stomach upsets

Lavender

Keep Lavender as an essential oil for stress, insomnia and headaches.

Sea Salt

Gargle with this salt for sore throats and also for bath salts.

Tea Tree

Use as an essential oil for skin infections and insect bites.

Valerian

Use as an extract for mild pain relief and insomnia

Find out how the many ways one can prepare herbs for usage.

A-Z of Ailments and the Herb that can be used to help the symptoms.

An uncomplicated way of understanding the terminology used in this website.

Natural Laxatives for daily use and also for when there is an emergency.

Healing Plants A comprehensive list of Healing Plants which highlights a specific medical action and links all the applicable common herbs to that action.

Natural Antibiotics Natural Antibiotics - straight from heaven to planet earth especially for you.

Natural Antioxidants If its not life threatening, why not take a look at the natural sources available to us first??

Iron Deficiency As one gets older it is believed that even a slight deficit in iron my slow down thinking and impair the memory, so keep the memory and brainpower going by ensuring you are getting enough iron in your diet.

Calcium Deficiency A calcium deficiency can affect us in so many ways from cancer to osteoporosis, to high blood pressure, to epilepsy.

Magnesium Deficiency