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More good news on the health benefits of chocolate!
Several news items on July 3, 2007 announced the results of a German study on the effects of chocolate on hypertension, as reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association. This most recent study proclaims clear evidence that small daily amounts of dark chocolate will lower blood pressure in those with moderately elevated blood pressure readings…Hooray!
Yet another entry in the continuing parade of good news stories about chocolate!
Chocolatiers, devotees of fine chocolate, and avowed chocoholics welcome the news.
The AP article (Study: Chocolate reduces blood pressure By LINDSEY TANNER, AP Medical Writer) states “Dark chocolate seems to lower blood pressure, but it requires an amount less than two Hershey's Kisses to do it….” The article continues: “The new research from Germany adds to mounting evidence linking dark chocolate with health benefits, but it's the first to suggest that just a tiny amount may suffice.”
These good news items provide helpful dietary information, but can be misread, and used to justify poor eating habits.03/09/2008ting chocoholic, scanning the article quickly may come away thinking that two Hershey’s Kisses a day will reduce high blood pressure, which is not the case. It is important to read these news items carefully. Most of the scientific studies are done in controlled circumstances and using a very specific amount of high-cocoa content chocolate. In the German study of chocolate’s effect on blood pressure , Ritter Sport Dark Chocolate was used. Chocolate-coated candy bars, chocolate-glazed donuts and chocolate chip cookies do not count as healthy chocolate.
To paraphrase Shakespeare: Just as all that glitters is not gold, not every brown thing is chocolate. There are a few simple steps to ensure the maximum benefit and pleasure from your chocolate.
To get the greatest health benefits from chocolate, some form of chocolate should be the first ingredient. This usually means that there is more chocolate in the product than anything else, as ingredients are listed in order of their prevalence in the product. To enjoy the health benefits of chocolate, look for chocolate that is at least 65% cocoa solids. Seventy percent is even better.
First, read the ingredient label, which simply lists the ingredients used in the product. It is as important as the nutritional content label, which details calories, fat calories, sugars, other carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins and minerals. Good chocolate has a short list of ingredients. The chocolate may be referred to as cocoa liquor, cocoa paste, cocoa solids, cocoa mass or cacao beans. All these terms refer to pure chocolate, made from cacao beans. Also, there may be added cocoa butter, but for the greatest health benefits, there should be no other fats added.
Sugar is usually the second ingredient, followed, in most fine chocolate products by vanilla and lecithin. Lecithin is a soy-based emulsifier. That’s it. The quality, taste and texture of the many brands of chocolate available depend upon the quality and origin of the bean and the roasting, blending and processing techniques of the chocolatier.
Milk chocolate, to merit its label, is only required to be about 20% chocolate. Most people think of dark chocolate as the healthy variety, and it is, usually. However, semi-sweet chocolate is only required to be 34% cocoa solids. Semi-sweet is a type of dark chocolate as are bittersweet and extra bittersweet chocolate. Each of these can have varying amounts of cocoa solids, although bittersweet and extra bittersweet normally have a higher cocoa content.
There are semisweet chocolate chips available with as much as 70% cocoa content. Bittersweet and extra bittersweet can be as much as 90% chocolate. This may seem confusing, but the better brands, those with cocoa content above 50% are happy to print the cocoa percentage prominently on the label.
Finally whether it is consumed for health or simply because it tastes good, fine chocolate should be savored. Don’t chew the chocolate. Keep it in your mouth as long as possible and enjoy the silky feel and irresistible flavor of the chocolate. You will enjoy it more and be satisfied with less.
And if you really want to improve your health, combine moderate amounts of fine dark chocolate with a balanced diet and a little daily exercise. Give exercise a chance. Learn the exhilarating feeling of a personal best.
To learn more about chocolate for good health, beauty and sheer bliss, read Eat (More) Chocolate – Lose Weight (Anyway): The Chocoholic’s Survival Guide and Practical Handbook
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