Chocolate Is Good for the Soul
....and good for your body, too. In moderation, of course!
The cacao bean, first cultivated and used by the Olmec people, who lived in the tropical lowlands of south-central Mexico, and some time after by the Mayans and Aztecs, has been used in dozens of ways, including medicinal.
Chocolate, as we know it today, took a few centuries to evolve into the sweet, delicious, to die for treat that we all know and love. Besides its cocoa-ey, creamy taste, chocolate really does make you feel good. It's not just your imagination!
Here are jut a few of the 300 agents found in chocolate that help bring you those yummy, feel good vibes:
Seratonin - Acts as an antidepressant
Phenylethylamine - A mild mood elevator
Theobromine - A stimulant, related to caffeine, but giving a calmer, more relaxed after effect
Oleic acid - A monounsaturated fat, which can raise good cholesterol
Potassium
Magnesium
Vitamins B1, B2, D and E
Anitoxidants
Flavanoids - Help keep blood vessels elastic
Bet you didn't know that....
The smell of chocolate can increase theta brain waves, thereby relaxing you
Cacao contains antibacterial agents that can help prevent tooth decay
Drinking hot chocolate before a meal can lessen your appetite
Men who eat chocolate live a bit longer than those who don't
So, the next time you're feeling the need to have a bite or two of chocolate, go ahead and have it! It's not as bad as you've been led to believe. Unless you consume it in excess, of course. While chocolate does have many positive things going for it, you can't forget the high sugar content in most chocolate confections. That's where all the calories come from
So, indulge, but only on occasion. Who doesn't need to feel a little good every now and then? Keep it to a minimum, and you can feel good AND look good, darling! ;)
