Is Chocolate Good for You?

There seems to be a common belief that chocolate is bad for you. Anything that tastes that good has to be, right? However, researchers have discovered that not only is this tasty treat not as bad for you as you always thought, it can actually be beneficial to our health.

• Chocolate contains several nutrients, including potassium, iron and calcium. It also contains vitamins A1, B1, B2, C, D, and E.

• Chocolate contains magnesium. Magnesium deficiency has been linked to PMS (premenstrual syndrome), heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and joint problems.

• Despite containing sugar, which can be bad for your teeth, researchers have found that chocolate is on the list of snack foods that are least likely to cause dental decay. The cacoa in chocolate contains antibacterial agents that, believe it or not, fight tooth decay.

• Chocolate contains phenylethylamine, a mild mood elevator that can make you feel better emotionally.

• Another reason eating chocolate can make you feel good is that it contains tryptophan, an amino acid that raises the serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is a natural stress reliever and anti-depressant. Serotonin can also help decrease your appetite, lessoning your cravings for sweet and starchy foods.

• Endorphins, a natural pain reducer and mood elevator, are released by the brain to help you deal with pain. Endorphins are also produced when you exercise, which is why people often feel pretty good after a rigorous workout. Chocolate, which stimulates the production of endorphins, can give you a feeling similar to a "runner's high."

• The cocoa butter in chocolate contains a mono-unsaturated fat called oleic acid, which could help to raise your "good cholesterol" levels. Also, chocolate has been found to have no effect on "bad cholesterol," meaning it will neither increase nor decrease it.

• Eating chocolate could help increase antioxidant levels in your blood. Antioxidants help your body's cells resist damage caused by free radicals. Antioxidants help prevent heart disease, and help fight against cancer-causing cells.