Chocolate as the new Super Fruit

When anyone thinks of chocolate, the normal response is that it's the world's most famous sweet, but a square of dark chocolate has now become one of the healthiest snacks. Chocolate in its original form as tropical seeds is rather bitter before it undergoes the process of becoming the treasured sweet, but chocolate is no longer just something for dessert. Chocolate has vegetal qualities in its original form before being processed.

Chocolate was just named one of the leading 'super fruits', demonstrating more antioxidants, polyphenol and flavanol than fruit juice. Chocolate and cocoa powder are derived from beans that have large quantities of natural antioxidants called flavonoids. Antioxidants are thought to prevent cancer, heart disease and stroke. Antioxidants help protect cells. Every living cell is subject to damage by free radicals, which are cells damaged by oxygen that can cause diseases such as cancer. Flavonoids are a type of antioxidant that are shown to relax blood pressure through the production of nitric oxide and balance certain hormones in the body. 

Dark chocolate specifically has been recognized as having health benefits such as lowering blood pressure and cholesterol. The greatest effect in lowering blood pressure occurred within people who consumed 7.5 grams a day. Chocolate also stimulates endorphin production, which gives a feeling of pleasure, it contains serotonin, which acts as an anti-depressant, and it contains theobromine, which is a stimulant found in caffeine. 

Chocolate can be used in a variety of different ways, from eating it as a candy bar as a snack in the middle of the day to using it as an ingredient in dinner for a more savory quality. Try using chocolate in dishes that have fish, chicken or steak, all pair well with this sweet.

If you want to take a spin on chocolate, dip fruits or nuts into dark melted chocolate, in the morning, spoon cocoa powder over your coffee or sprinkle it over a tall glass of milk, use cocoa powder as a natural sweetener for foods such as cereal, salads or milk.

For more non-traditional uses, use products such as cocoa infused skin care products, lotions and soaps. Cocoa has been shown to hydrate and nourish skin, as well as help it to retain elasticity, and give an overall lasting glow.