Your Heart would say yes!!!

I was reading 1 of the prevention magazines & stumbled upon an article about chocolate (I love the Dark semisweet Kind). So here is what I found.

If U want the most heart – healthy antioxidants, should U grab a dish of blueberries, a cup of tea, or a chocolate bar?

If U guessed chocolate, U R correct, (remembering the main antioxidant is coco) Y… researchers explain, in tests using the “gold standard” for measuring antioxidants – the ORAC test – chocolate actually comes out ahead of the former antioxidant champs: tea, concord grape juice, & blueberries (View Chart Below). (Reported at the Experimental Biology conference, Apr.00)

 Even so, save chocolate for an occasional healthy treat, says researcher Penny Kris – Etherton, PhD, RD, of Pennsylvania State University in State College. “Chocolate has a price tag – it’s loaded with calories. You’re not helping your heart one bit if U eat too much chocolate & end up gaining weight.”

For everyday antioxidants, rely on low- calorie sources such as fruits, vegetables, & tea. Or use cocoa powder (chocolate with much of the fat removed) to make hot chocolate.

These Web – sites R Rated By USA Weekend Feb. 1 – 3 2008 article

www.dagobachocolate.com Full circle sustainability is the key principle, Delicious, yet with community & ecology in mind.

www.Chocolatebar.com This fair-trade chocolate comp. Works to raise awareness of & supports endangered species; 10 % of net profits go to this end.

www.Breschocolates.com U’ll find organic & vegan chocolate truffles, which R dairy – free (made of soymilk).

www.Vosgeschocollate.com Pkging is made with recycled materials, & items R shipped in Earth friendly air – filled bags with no Styrofoam peanuts. The chocolate is produced using 100% renewable energy.

Chocolate is not for everyone, some people may have an adverse effect, for instance there was an article about a middle aged businesswoman that was troubled by foggy thinking & by chronic fatigue so severe that it often kept her in bed for days on end. With process of elimination Dr Carlton found that she was eating chocolate 2 to 3 times a week. Although this didn’t sound excessive, he suggested she give it up to see what happened.

Result: During her 1^st chocolate – free month, she felt clear – headed for the 1^st time in Years. Then she ate a slice of chocolate cake at a dinner party…and spent the next 3 days in bed. This convinced her that chocolate had been to blame.

For those of U that suffer from anxiety, chocolate may not be the best thing, chocolate contains methylxanthines, naturally occurring pesticides that R a common cause of anxiety attacks.

Source of reference: Prevention 10/00, Healing Unlimited, USA Weekend Feb. 1-3 2008,