1. Enjoy Heart-Healthy Fat
The fat in pure chocolate comes from cocoa butter, which is made up of three acids: stearic acid, oleic acid and palmitic acid. Oleic acid provides a full 1/3 of the fat. It's a monounsaturated fat, meaning it's healthy for your heart. Stearic acid is a saturated fat, but unlike most saturated fats, it doesn't raise your bad cholesterol. Instead, stearic acid converts to oleic acid, making it heart-healthy in the end. Palmitic acid is the only one of the three that does have a negative effect on your cholesterol levels.
2. Go for the Dark
Cocoa contains flavonoids or polyphenols, which are healthy antioxidants that have a bitter taste. To get rid of this taste, manufacturers process the chocolate into the candy bars we've learned to crave. While this process makes the chocolate taste a lot sweeter, it also takes away a good portion of the antioxidants, making chocolate less beneficial to your health. Studies have shown that darker and purer chocolate is healthier for you because it contains more of the original antioxidant properties found in cocoa.
3. Negative Side Effects Do Occur
Chocolate consumption has been linked to various health problems such as headaches, migraines, worsened PMS, acne, allergies, heartburn, cavities and kidney stones. If you notice these or other conditions after you eat chocolate, it might be time to lower your chocolate consumption or stop eating it all together.
4. Watch the Sugar
Chocolate contains a lot of sugar, which, plain and simple, isn't good for you. Sugar intake is associated with a string of health issues such as diabetes, mood swings, yeast infections, osteoporosis, obesity and heart disease. When you're reaching for a chocolate bar, avoid the bars coated in extra sugary ingredients, such as caramel or marshmallows. When chocolate tastes great all by itself, consuming extra sugar is unnecessary.
5. Eat Chocolate in Moderation
If you're eating a well-balanced diet and exercising regularly, it's perfectly alright--and even healthy--to enjoy a piece of chocolate every now and then. On the other hand, if you're eating one or two chocolate bars a day, you'll definitely start to pack on the pounds. Like any of your favorite treats, eat chocolate in moderation so that you can still enjoy it from time to time without making it an unhealthy habit.
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