Saturday, December 20, 2008

chocolate amazing facts!!

A beautifully wrapped box of chocolates has always been considered a very romantic gift.Don't u think so?haha

But the surprising news from the scientific community is that this reputedly decadent treat actually has some health benefits, especially if you choose your chocolate wisely.

Is Chocolate A Health Food?

Chocolate contains over 300 chemicals, and has been the subject of a number of studies by universities and other scientific organizations. Here's a quick rundown of the results:

  • Cacao, the source of chocolate, contains antibacterial agents that fight tooth decay.
  • The smell of chocolate may increase the brain waves, resulting in relaxation.
  • Chocolate contains phenyl ethylamine, a mild mood elevator.(I totally agree with this one!)
  • The cocoa butter in chocolate contains oleic acid, a mono-unsaturated fat which may raise good cholesterol.(eh?there is good cholesterol?)
  • Drinking a cup of hot chocolate before meals may actually diminish appetite.
  • Men who eat chocolate live a year longer than those who don't.(hahaha..read this,men!)
  • The flavanoids in chocolate may help keep blood vessels elastic.
  • Chocolate increases antioxidant levels in the blood.
  • Mexican healers use chocolate to treat bronchitis and insect bites.
  • The carbohydrates in chocolate raise serotonin levels in the brain, resulting in a sense of well-being.
What Chocolate Won't Do:
  • Studies show that chocolate is not a causative factor in acne.
  • Cacao contains the stimulants caffeine and bromine, but in such small quantities that they don't cause nervous excitability.
  • Chocolate is not addictive.(I hope so..=p)
  • Chocolate contains stearic acid, a neutral fat which doesn't raise bad cholesterol.(now there is also bad cholesterol..can someone explain to me??)
But On The Negative Side...(fitrah alam..when there's positive side,there's always negative side)
  • Chocolate may trigger headaches in migraine sufferers.
  • Milk chocolate is high in calories, saturated fat and sugar.

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