Dark chocolate lovers, you are in for a treat!
As you probably already know, the cacao in dark chocolate is chock full of plant nutrients known as flavonoids. (Cacao generally refers to the chocolate beans prior to processing; after processing, cocoa is the powder form.) Plenty of studies have pointed to the polyphenol activity of flavonoids, which keep us healthy by repairing or preventing daily cell damage in our bodies to delay or avoid issues like heart disease.
That does not mean a Willie Wonka-style free-for-all is in order - though, let's be honest, who wouldn't want to spend the day on the banks of a chocolate river? But go ahead and enjoy an ounce or so of good-quality dark chocolate with at least 70 percent cacao a few times a week. You may benefit your brain and heart, and your taste buds will surely benefit too!
As you probably already know, the cacao in dark chocolate is chock full of plant nutrients known as flavonoids. (Cacao generally refers to the chocolate beans prior to processing; after processing, cocoa is the powder form.) Plenty of studies have pointed to the polyphenol activity of flavonoids, which keep us healthy by repairing or preventing daily cell damage in our bodies to delay or avoid issues like heart disease.
That does not mean a Willie Wonka-style free-for-all is in order - though, let's be honest, who wouldn't want to spend the day on the banks of a chocolate river? But go ahead and enjoy an ounce or so of good-quality dark chocolate with at least 70 percent cacao a few times a week. You may benefit your brain and heart, and your taste buds will surely benefit too!
