Dark Chocolates

Dark Chocolate- The Dark Horse of Good Health

Chemically speaking, chocolate really is the world's perfect food. – Michael Levin, Nutritional Researcher

Who doesn't like eating Chocolates? Right from the Kids to Adults, everyone melts at the very sight of the dark brownish slab of delicious goodness and who wouldn't! And now with researchers and recent reports stating that the Dark Chocolate variety of Chocolate can help boost one's cardiovascular health along with helping to regulate blood pressure, improve blood circulation and so on… we are sure there couldn't be better news for Chocolate Lovers world over!

Why Dark Chocolate instead of any other Chocolate?

Some of the most commonly available varieties of chocolate are White, Brown, Milk and Dark Chocolate. However, despite the many health benefits of dark chocolate, it still hasn't been able to achieve a place amongst the preferred chocolate varieties in India! The answer to this lies in our Indian taste buds, which are still unaccustomed to the bitter taste of Dark Chocolate.

With the medical fraternity going gaga over the anti-ageing and cardio vascular health boosting properties of dark chocolate, it definitely deserves a place amongst our favorite chocolates.

Still not convinced? The following mentioned health benefits of Dark Chocolate should convince you,

Looking beyond the Bitter Taste of Dark Chocolate:

Running parallel to Michael Levine's description of Chocolate as the worlds perfect food, we list down the reasons which make Dark Chocolate so healthy,

• Anti – Oxidant Power House

Many people don't know that chocolate is a plant based food. In fact Raw Cocoa (basic ingredient for any kind of chocolate) contains a very high level of anti-oxidants and with Dark Chocolate containing high levels of cocoa; it too has a high level of anti-oxidants! The anti-oxidants present in dark chocolate are found in the form of polyphenols known as flavanoids, which help protect the body from free radicals and harmful molecules, thereby slowing down the ageing process while protecting us from Cancer!

With Dark Chocolate containing almost twice the amount of Antioxidants as compared to Red wine, the antioxidants found in dark chocolate help protect against ageing and heart problems.

• Heart Matters

Consumption of Cocoa is proven to help relax one's arteries as well as widen them; it also helps in widening arteries and maintaining them. Dark chocolate helps in preventing the buildup of plaque on the arteries which can block them, it does so by slowing down the rate of the *oxidization of LDL or Bad Cholesterol. Clinical trials have further proven that consumption of dark chocolate prevents the clogging up of arteries by reducing platelet re-activity.

*Oxidization of LDL cholesterol is responsible for the beginning of the accumulation of plaque on the arteries*

• Reduces Blood Pressure

Dark chocolate contains vital minerals such as Magnesium and Copper, which help in regulating and maintaining the blood pressure. Research conducted on the same at the University of California, has revealed that individuals who consumed dark chocolates for two weeks had a better and healthier blood functioning, than those who had other forms of chocolate.

Other research conducted on the same has found that Dark chocolate triggers the release of Nitric Oxide within the blood. The presence of Nitric Oxide in the blood is responsible for the relaxation and dilation of blood vessels, which allows for more flow of the blood, thereby reducing blood pressure considerably.

• Mood Booster

Dark Chocolate contains many compounds that serve to produce the ‘feel good' factor on its consumption. The three main compounds found in the chocolate are Theobromine, which is a mild natural stimulant. Caffeine too is found in dark chocolate, albeit in low quantity.

However the compound mainly responsible for the boost in our moods after eating dark chocolate is Phenylethylamine (PEA), which triggers the release of endorphins in our brain. So the next time you find yourself feeling blue, pop in a square of Dark Chocolate! To know more about Dark Chocolate- The Dark Horse of Good Health

Ghirardelli Chocolate Squares, Intense Dark Assortment, 7.13-Ounce Packages (Pack of 3) List Price: $22.47 Sale Price: $15.26 You save: $7.21 (32%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description The Ghirardelli Chocolate Company is a manufacturer and marketer of premium chocolate products. Incorporated in 1852 and in continuous operation since then, Ghirardelli has the richest heritage of any American chocolate company. Ghirardelli continues to honor its heritage to this day. Ghirardelli is one of the few companies in America that controls the entire chocolate manufacturing process, from cocoa bean to finished product. This control over the manufacturing process, combined with Ghirardelli’s proprietary bean blend and unique methods of roasting and processing, ensures that you are rewarded with the highest quality and richest products. Ghirardelli’s product line includes its signature SQUARES chocolate, chocolate bars, other chocolate confections, baking chocolate, and chocolate beverages. Ghirardelli premium chocolate is available at your local grocery store, drug store, mass-merchandise store, specialty store, department store, and Ghirardelli shops. In addition, Ghirardelli sells industrial products for the confectionery, bakery, dairy, and food service industries. Features Luxuriously deep and velvety chocolate blended with sophisticated ingredients in a variety of indulgent flavors and cacao percentages Delivers unrivaled chocolate intensity in a delicately thin chocolate, allowing the chocolate to melt slowly in your mouth Individually wrapped Intense Dark mini's in assorted flavors Perfect for a gift, favor, or simple enjoyment purposes

Lindt Excellence Extra Dark Chocolate 85% Cocoa, 3.5-Ounce Packages (Pack of 12) List Price: $35.76 Sale Price: $27.74 You save: $8.02 (22%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Lindt Excellence gourmet chocolate is prepared especially for you by Lindt's Master Chocolatiers who, from selecting the highest quality cocoa beans to creating the finest textures and tastes chocolate can offer, demand nothing less than perfection. Experience the ultimate union of force and finesse through Lindt Excellence's intense and elegant flavors, fine textures and lingering tastes. Discover Lindt Excellence with all your senses. Features Dark, Rich, Smooth Truffle 85% Cacao Chocolate Truffle

thinkThin Dark Chocolate, 2.1-Ounce Bar (Pack of 10) List Price: $23.20 Sale Price: $15.99 You save: $7.21 (31%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Our all natural high protein thinkThin™ bars are draped in rich delicious chocolate and delivers 20g of protein. Rated one of the top bars in the natural industry, thinkThin is the ONLY naturally sugar-free, high protein bar for an active lifestyle. Our thinkThin bars also appeal to consumers with special dietary needs because they are gluten free, have 0g of sugar and offer diabetics an alternative healthy snack. Features Pack of 10, each pack is 2.1Oz (total of 21Oz) Fortified with 18 essentials and minerals All-natural high-protein bar Sugar free and gluten free Lizanne Falsetto honored with NAWBO leadership award

Endangered Species Black Panther, Extreme Dark Chocolate (88%), 3-Ounce Bars (Pack of 12) List Price: $33.48 Sale Price: $25.67 You save: $7.81 (23%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Endangered Species Chocolate All-Natural Panther Bar - Extreme Dark Chocolate (88% Cocoa Content) This 3oz. dark chocolate bar is made with all-natural, shade-grown, ethically traded, single-origin extreme dark chocolate. At 88% cocoa content, it is one o Features All-natural gourmet chocolate Shade-grown ethically-traded cocoa beans from small family-owned farms Supports endangered animals habitat and humanity Each bar contains educational information about the endangered animal on the wrapper

Brookside Dark Chocolate Acai with Blueberry 2 Pounds Resealable Bag List Price: $17.73 Sale Price: $16.17 You save: $1.56 (9%)   Eligible for free shipping! See Reviews For This Product Description Smooth dark chocolate surrounding a sweetened real fruit juice piece, made from a blend of açai berry juice, blueberry juice and other select fruit juices. Features Brookside Dark Chocolate Acai with Blueberry 2 Pound Resealable Bag Each bag has 2 pounds of delicious Dark Chocolate Acai with Blueberry Natural Source of Flavanol Antioxidants

Peanut Butter & Co. Peanut Butter, Dark Chocolate Dreams, 16-Ounce Jars (Pack of 6) List Price: $29.64 Sale Price: $22.80 You save: $6.84 (23%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Our all natural peanut butter blended with rich dark chocolate. It's like a peanut butter cup in a jar! Great on a sandwich, but just as wonderful spooned over ice cream, spread on fruits, or simply eaten out of the jar. It's equally delicious as an ingredient in your all-time favorite baked goodies like chocolate cake and bread pudding. It contains no cholesterol, no trans-fats, no hydrogenated oils, and no high-fructose corn syrup. It is also gluten-free, vegan, and certified kosher pareve by the Orthodox Union. Features Case of 6, 16-ounce jars (total of 96-ounces) All-natural and made exclusively with US-grown peanuts Great for sandwiches and baking too No added sugar, no cholesterol, no trans fats, no hydrogenated oil, no high fructose corn syrup Certified kosher, vegan, and is even gluten-free

Kashi TLC Cookies, Oatmeal Dark Chocolate, 8.5-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 3) List Price: $12.39 Sale Price: $8.95 You save: $3.44 (28%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Kashi TLC Cookies Oatmeal Dark Chocolate, 8.5-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 3) combines our signature Seven Whole Grain blend with hearty, natural ingredients such as peanuts, raisins, sunflower seeds, cranberries, walnuts, shredded coconut, flax seeds, and dark chocolate. This chocolate features rolled whole oats with rugged chunks of dark chocolate. Features Pack of three, 8.5-ounce each (total of 25.5 ounces) Feature rolled whole oats with rugged chunks of dark chocolate. Combine our signature Seven Whole Grain blend with hearty, natural ingredients Delicious chewy cookie that has a home-baked taste Ships in Certified Frustration-Free Packaging

Endangered Species Panther, Extreme Dark Chocolate (88%), 10-Count Individually Wrapped Pieces (Pack of 6) List Price: $20.34 Sale Price: $18.90 You save: $1.44 (7%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Endangered Species Chocolate All-Natural Panther 3.5oz Pouch - Extreme Dark Chocolate Pouch (88% Cocoa Content) Individually-wrapped all-natural dark chocolate squares are the perfect size to satisfy your chocolate cravings while offering many health ben Features Pack of six, 10-count pieces(total of 60-count pieces) Individually wrapped pieces All-natural dark chocolate squares to satisfy your chocolate cravings

Kit Kat Kit Kat Dark Chocolate, 1.5-Ounce Bars (Pack of 24) Sale Price: $18.46   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Dark chocolate covered wafer fingers Features 24 packs of 1.5oz Kit Kat Dark

Toblerone Swiss Dark Chocolate with Honey and Almond Nougat, 3.52-Ounce Bar (Pack of 12) List Price: $26.88 Sale Price: $22.52 You save: $4.36 (16%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Made in Switzerland. Features All Toblerone products are certified Kosher-Dairy by O-K unless noted otherwise Swiss dark chocolate with honey and almond nougat.

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This entry was posted on Thursday, January 13th, 2011 at 5:33 am and is filed under organic snacks. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.Both comments and pings are currently closed.