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Friday, November 6, 2009

Why Chocolate is Good for You

Chocolate is a wonderful food. According to a survey done at the University of Pennsylvania, “chocolate is the most craved food among females” and is also highly craved among males. This is probably not surprising to most people. Over the years, chocolate has been labeled as a “stimulant, relaxant, euphoriant, aphrodisiac, tonic, and antidepressant.” Chocolate creates good feelings in people, because it increases the level of serotonin in the body, which is a mood-regulating neurotransmitter. Aside from putting you in a good mood, chocolate can also have many health benefits. It is good for your heart because it increases the responsiveness of blood vessels. Also, it is an anti-oxidant and can help prevent cancer. Chocolate even helps control blood sugar, because it contains Chromium. Some people claim that chocolate is bad for you; and when not taken in moderation, it probably is. However, it is undeniable that there can be many health benefits associated with this wonderful and desirable food.

Sources:
http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/3-24-2005-67582.asp

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6T2X-4JHMXTV-3&_user=464852&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_searchStrId=1081380510&_rerunOrigin=scholar.google&_acct=C000022310&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=464852&md5=5ae1ce4cef98fe557ee2bb6dce3b02ff

http://grande.nal.usda.gov/ibids/index.php?mode2=detail&origin=ibids_references&therow=174630

http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Effects-Of-Chocolate-On-The-Emotions&id=235610