As Valentine's Day rapidly approaches one of my fondest wishes is to be so thin that someone - anyone - gives me a box of chocolate just to fattin' me up! So far, it has never happened.
Anyway, did you know that chocolate can actually be good for you? Even smelling chocolate can increase the theta brain waves and result in relaxation. Plus, chocolate contains phenyl ethylamine, a mild mood elevator.
Some other benefits (based on university and other scientific studies):
- Chocolate increases antioxidant levels in your blood.
- Serotonin levels in the brain are raised when you eat chocolate which results in a sense of well-being.
- The flavanoids in chocolate may help keep blood vessels elastic.
- Enjoying a cup of hot chocolate before a meal may actually diminish your appetite.
- The oleic acid in the cocoa butter is a mono-unsaturated fat which may raise good cholestrol.
If you are a dark chocolate lover, you should know that dark chocolate contains more cacao and less sugar than milk chocolate. So it follows that any health benefits would be more pronounced in dark chocolate.
So, go ahead, enjoy your box of Valentine's chocolates! I only hope, this year, I get one!
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