HOT CHOCOLATE IS GOOD

Hello.

It may sound too good to be true, but there are in fact some health benefits associated with drinking hot chocolate:

• A study done at Cornell University showed that hot chocolate contains more antioxidants than wine and tea, therefore reducing the risk of heart disease. In fact, the study also revealed that a larger amount of antioxidants is released when the beverage is heated.3

• Do you feel relaxed after drinking a cup of hot chocolate? That’s because the number of antioxidants (flavonoids) is nearly eight times higher than the amount found in strawberries. Flavonoids in chocolate can actually lower blood pressure.

• What about dark chocolate? Studies show that consuming a small bar of dark chocolate reduces blood pressure because artery-clogging cholesterol (LDL) is reduced by as much as 10%.4 Although chocolate bars do have more saturated fat when compared to dark chocolate, the flavonoids improve blood flow by helping the body process nitric oxide.

• Flavonoids in hot chocolate also help prevent platelets in the blood, thereby helping to prevent the formation of clots.

• Endorphins are stimulated by chocolate, giving you a runner’s high. Chocolate also contains serotonin, a natural antidepressant, as well as some mild stimulants that may give you a boost.

• A cup of hot chocolate contains 611 milligrams of the phenolic compound gallic acid equivalents (GAE). The antioxidant gallic acid is used to treat internal hemorrhages and diabetes.5

• The latest report from the American Association for the Advancement of Science advises drinking hot chocolate to improve thinking. Flavonoids increase blood flow and oxygen to the brain, and as dementia is caused by the reduced flow of blood to the brain, researchers think that hot chocolate can help with treatment.