Pleasure Frenzy

Antioxidant Properties In Chocolate: Chocolate-Covered Heart Health

A heart-shaped box of chocolate has often been used traditionally to show affection or even as a peace offering. Although it was formerly viewed as a guilty indulgence, extensive scientific studies have demonstrated that one of the many ways to incorporate more antioxidants into a healthy diet is through the inclusion of raw, dark, or lightly-processed chocolate.

Chocolate as a Health Food

The body is continually processing everything it ingests, from food to oxygen, and this creates byproducts; healthy and unhealthy. Free radicals are formed in the body by the simple act of breathing. There are (albeit few) positive effects caused by free radicals, such as the elimination of certain forms of bacteria. However, the problem with free radicals is that they create a chemical reaction, and once it starts it has a cascading effect on a cellular level that, if unchecked, can lead to cell damage or serious disease.

The valuable benefit to be found in chocolate is its ability to reduce blood pressure and improve the health of the arteries. Chocolate contains antioxidants that not only assist in stabilizing the effects of free radicals but also work with oxidants to help maintain balance.

In order to gain the positive advantages of chocolate, it is important that the chocolate be as dark as possible. This means that raw or lightly processed dark chocolate be chosen. Cocoa contains a natural substance called flavonoids which help protect the plant from harmful toxins. When chocolate is processed flavonoids are lost, thus diminishing the chocolate’s antioxidant properties.

Another facet to the correlation between processing chocolate and its antioxidant properties can be found in its taste. Raw, natural, dark chocolate is very bitter. This bitterness comes from the other natural chemicals found in the cocoa plant (polyphenol, procyanidin, and reservatrol) and these chemicals are potent antioxidants. Trying to remove the bitter taste of chocolate by adding sugars, flavorings, or additives such as trans fats, stabilizers, hydrogenated oils or preservatives not only strip chocolate of its color, but also its effectiveness. If sweetened, only natural sweeteners should be used.

Natural is Best

Interestingly, the addition of simple ingredients such as milk produces a counterproductive effect upon chocolate’s antioxidant value. Mauro Serafini, PhD conducted a study for the National Institute for Food and Nutrition Research in Rome, Italy. His study showed that drinking milk after eating dark chocolate directly interferes with the body’s absorption of antioxidants. Even drinking milk after eating dark chocolate negatively affects its antioxidant abilities. Milk Chocolate or White Chocolate quite simply do not produce the same results as dark chocolate, and should be avoided,

It requires a surprisingly small amount to gain the benefit of dark or lightly-processed chocolate. Serafini’s study is based upon 100-gram servings consumed on a daily basis, roughly equivalent to eating a small bar of dark chocolate every day.

Thus, the next time a heart-shaped box of chocolates arrives, ensure that it is dark chocolate and as plain and as unprocessed as possible. The gift will be more than a symbolic gesture of peace and affection; it will be a gift to the heart as well.

Dark chocolate has been determined to be a powerful antioxidant, with benefits ranging from mood enhancement, strengthening of the immune system, reducing risks of stroke, heart disease, and high blood pressure, and perhaps extension of life span in the near future. But can we really call either a nutritional supplement?

We can now. If it’s IsaDelight™

About the Author

Abdullah Salim

For more nutrition related information, plz visit: UltraFitnessDynamics

Healthy Chocolate – HealthierWithChocolate.com

Chocolate Wars $20.96 With a cast of characters that wouldn’t be out of place in a Victorian novel, Chocolate Wars tells the story of the great chocolatier dynasties, through the prism of the Cadburys. Chocolate was consumed unrefined and unprocessed as a rather bitter,

Sephra Classic Milk Chocolate Package $139.99 Sephra classic home fondue and chocolate fountain package

Sephra Classic Dark Chocolate Package $139.99 Sephra classic home fondue and chocolate fountain package contains 8 pounds of dark fountain fondue chocolate

Sephra Premium Chocolate Variety Pack $84.99 This chocolate medley includes sephra premium dark, milk, and white fondue chocolate for a fraction of the cost of buying them separately

Sephra Belgian Victoria Chocolate Dessert Cups $54.99 Sephra victoria chocolate dessert cups or chocolate shells are imported from belgium. they are made with real belgian dark chocolate and provide the perfect flare to your favorite chocolate mousse dessert.

Sephra Premium Dark Semi-Sweet Fondue Chocolate 4 lb box $22.99 This is our original specially formulated couverture chocolate developed for use by commercial chocolate fountain operators and for home use chocolate fountains

Sephra Premium Dark Semi-Sweet Fondue Chocolate 20lb case $79.99 This is our original specially formulated couverture chocolate developed for use by commercial chocolate fountain operators and for home use chocolate fountains.

Sephra Belgian Dark Semi-Sweet Fondue Chocolate 20LB Case $94.99 This is our original specially formulated couverture chocolate developed for use by commercial chocolate fountain operators and for home use chocolate fountains.

Sephra White Chocolate Melts for Fondue 20lb Case $64.99 Sephra white chocolate melts are specially formulated for use in chocolate fountains and by confectioners who wish to have a chocolate coating that will harden quickly when molding or dipping food items.

Sephra Milk Chocolate Melts for Fondue 20lb Case $64.99 Sephra milk chocolate melts are specially formulated for use in chocolate fountains and by confectioners who wish to have a chocolate coating that will harden quickly when molding or dipping food items.

Sephra THE AZTEC 27 Commercial Chocolate Fountain $1999.99 Perfect for smaller events, the aztec is the perfect accent fountain for other fondues or other types of chocolate, and adds a touch of variation to your chocolate fountain display

Sephra Premium White Fondue Chocolate 4 lb box $27.99 This is our original specially formulated couverture chocolate developed for use by commercial chocolate fountain operators and for home use chocolate fountains. made in the usa from all natural ingredients and kosher certified, it contains no hydrogenated oils or substituted vegetable fats. sephra premium chocolate is the premier gourmet chocolate for use in chocolate fountains

Sephra Select Milk Chocolate Party Pack $76.99 Sephra select milk chocolate party package includes one 16″ select chocolate fountain, 4 pounds sephra premium milk chocolate, 1 double heart lollipop candy mold, 35 lollipop sticks. also get free ground shipping with this package.

Sephra Belgian Milk Fondue Chocolate 20LB Case $25.99 This is our original specially formulated couverture chocolate developed for use by commercial chocolate fountain operators and for home use chocolate fountains. made from all natural ingredients and kosher certified, it contains no hydrogenated oils or substituted vegetable fats

Sephra Premium Milk Fondue Chocolate 20lb case $79.99 This is our original specially formulated couverture chocolate developed for use by commercial chocolate fountain operators and for home use chocolate fountains. made in the usa from all natural ingredients and kosher certified, it contains no hydrogenated oils or substituted vegetable fats.

Sephra Revolation 1 Chocolate Tempering Machine $428.99 With just two buttons you are ready to start making delicious chocolate masterpieces from home! great for the holidays, special parties, or family fun. with the revolation 1, creating your own gourmet chocolate treats is easy and affordable

Sephra Premium White Chocolate 6 lb. Package $46.99 Includes 6 lbs. sephra premium white chocolate and 1600 bamboo skewers. get free shipping.

Sephra Belgian Dark Chocolate 6 lb. Package $51.99 Includes 6 lbs. sephra belgian dark semi sweet chocolate and 1600 bamboo skewers. get free ground shipping.

Sephra Belgian Milk Chocolate 6 lb. Package $51.99 Includes 6 lbs. sephra belgian milk chocolate and 1600 bamboo skewers. get free ground shipping.

Sephra Premium Dark Chocolate 6 lb. Package $46.99 Includes 6 lbs. sephra premium dark semi-sweet chocolate and 1600 bamboo skewers. get free shipping.

Sephra Premium Milk Chocolate 6 lb. Package $46.99 Includes 6 lbs. sephra premium milk chocolate and 1600 bamboo skewers. get free shipping.

Sephra Revolation 2 Chocolate Tempering Machine $548.99 Melts and tempers 1.5 lbs of chocolate in approximately thirty minutes and is backed by a full one-year warranty

Sephra Dark Chocolate Melts 6 lb. Package $36.99 Includes 6 lbs. sephra dark chocolate melts and 1600 bamboo skewers. get free ground shipping.

Sephra White Chocolate Melts 6 lb. Package $36.99 Includes 6 lbs. sephra white chocolate melts and 1600 bamboo skewers. get free shipping.

Sephra Milk Chocolate Melts 6 lb. Package $36.99 Includes 6 lbs. sephra milk chocolate melts and 1600 bamboo skewers. get free shipping.

Sephra Topper for Commercial Chocolate Fountains $34.99 Add a new look to your sephra 34″ and 44″ commercial chocolate fountain. toppers allow you to creatively and professionally decorate your fountain with flowers, a bride and groom figurine or any object. the possiblities are endless. magnetic objects can also be used.

Sephra Recipe Cards A Year of Chocolate $5.99 Twelve collectible recipe cards take you through a year of chocolate.each card has a brilliant, full-sized color photo on the front and an easy-to-follow, gourmet recipe on the back. make cheesecake, mousse, crepes, party mixes, and even ice cream with sephra chocolate

Sephra Milk Chocolate Melts for Fondue & Candy Making 4lb box $15.99 Sephra milk chocolate melts are specially formulated for use in chocolate fountains and by confectioners who wish to have a chocolate coating that will harden quickly when molding or dipping food items.

Sephra White Chocolate Melts for Fondue & Candy Making 4lb box $15.99 Sephra white chocolate melts are specially formulated for use in chocolate fountains and by confectioners who wish to have a chocolate coating that will harden quickly when molding or dipping food items.

Sephra Dark Semi-Sweet Chocolate Melts for Fondue 20lb case $64.99 Sephra dark chocolate melts are specially formulated for use in chocolate fountains and by confectioners who wish to have a chocolate coating that will harden quickly when molding or dipping food items.

Sephra Belgian Chocolate Variety Pack 20lbs $99.99 Sephra belgian chocolate variety pack comes with 8 pounds of belgian dark, 8 pounds of belgian milk, and 4 pounds of premium white. all pure sephra fondue chocolate. less than half the cost of ordering 4-lb boxes!

Sephra THE MONTEZUMA 34 Commercial Chocolate Fountain-Brushed $2799.99 Ideal for events of all sizes, the montezuma utilizes the same base as the sephra, which holds a maximum of 20 pounds of chocolate and can operate on as little as 12 pounds!

Sephra THE CORTEZ 23 Commercial Chocolate Fountain-Brushed $1199.99 Ideal for small events of 50-75 guests or as an accent to larger chocolate fountains, the cortez creates endless possibilities when used with other chocolates or fondues

Sephra Liquid Chocolate Fondue Single Bottle $12.99 Make all of your desserts and ice cream even more delicious with sephra liquid chocolate fondue syrup. imported directly from belgium.

Sephra Raspberry Chocolate Fondue Single Bottle $12.99 Sephra raspberry coulis fruit fondue is the perfect strawberry coulis dessert topping that will work perfectly in your fountain to tantalize your guests and show everyone that not only chocolate can be used in it.

Sephra Revolation X3210 Chocolate Tempering Machine $1648.99 Made with stainless steel and a space-efficient design, the x3210 is also nsf sanitation approved for commercial environments.this machine can melt 3-10 lbs of chocolate in approximately one hour. free shipping on this model

Sephra Premium Milk Fondue Chocolate 4 lb box $22.99 This is our original specially formulated couverture chocolate developed for use by commercial chocolate fountain operators and for home use chocolate fountains. made in the usa from all natural ingredients and kosher certified, it contains no hydrogenated oils or substituted vegetable fats.

Sephra Belgian Dark Semi-Sweet Fondue Chocolate 4 lb box $25.99 This is our original specially formulated couverture chocolate developed for use by commercial chocolate fountain operators and for home use chocolate fountains. made from all natural ingredients and kosher certified, it contains no hydrogenated oils or substituted vegetable fats

Chocolate Wars: The 150-Year Rivalry Between the World’s Greatest Chocolate Makers $5.52 New – With a cast of characters that wouldnt be out of place in a Victorian novel, Chocolate Wars tells the story of the great chocolatier dynasties, through the prism of the Cadburys. Chocolate was consumed unrefined and unprocessed as a rather bitter, fatty drink for the wealthy elite until the late 19th century, when the Swiss discovered a way to blend it with milk and unleashed a product that would conquer every market in the world. Thereafter, one of the great global business rivalries un

Chocolate Wars: The 150-Year Rivalry Between the World’s Greatest Chocolate Makers $6.99 New – With a cast of characters that wouldnt be out of place in a Victorian novel, Chocolate Wars tells the story of the great chocolatier dynasties, through the prism of the Cadburys. Chocolate was consumed unrefined and unprocessed as a rather bitter, fatty drink for the wealthy elite until the late 19th century, when the Swiss discovered a way to blend it with milk and unleashed a product that would conquer every market in the world. Thereafter, one of the great global business rivalries un

Clean Food $30 More than a cookbook, Clean Food is a feast for the senses that will nourish mind, body, soul and the planet, too. With more than 200 fresh, seasonal, and tempting vegan recipes, it will help everyone eat the way the want: close to the source. From the White House kitchen to fast food restaurants, everyone s discussing the sustainable diet. But what exactly does that mean? Terry Walters explains it all, and shows us how to eat seasonal, unprocessed, and locally-grown foods that are good for us and the environment. Walters s emphasizes tastes as much as ingredients in delicious recipes that include whole grains, vegetables, legumes, sea vegetables, nuts, and seeds, and range from Crispy Chickpea Fritters to Spicy Thai Tempeh with Cashews to a vegan and sugar-free Chocolate Lover s Tart that s absolutely luscious! Since they re arranged from spring to winter (with a chapter for anytime at all ), it s easy to find the right meals for every season of the year. Terry s dynamic personality shines through on every page, particularly in her extensive introduction to the world of whole foods (which includes a glossary of ingredients). This is certain to be the cookbook of this and every season the one that will help us make positive, sustainable, and yet delicious changes to the way we eat every day.