by JoAnn Marianelli Finnerty
e all love chocolate, but there is a side of chocolate most people don’t see….the dark side. Dark chocolate is coming out of the shadows and into the forefront of the chocolate revolution. This is made possible by the research that has recently surfaced about its antioxidant-rich and flavonol-filled nature. This could be the answer to chocoholics’ need for their daily chocolate “fix”.
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Chocolate contains up to four times the antioxidants found in tea which makes it a great way to begin the day! A cup of hot cocoa can also be a healthier choice than a similar serving of red wine giving way to a sweet ending to a long day. Studies done at Cornell University add to the growing evidence of health benefits of cocoa and point to a tasty alternative in the quest to maintain a diet rich in antioxidants, the chemicals that have been shown to fight cancer, heart disease, and aging. Similar studies have shown that people with high blood levels of flavonoids can lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels and reduce the risk of asthma and type 2 diabetes.
The Dark Side of Chocolate
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