Sweet Confessions: Discover the Secrets behind Chocolate’s Decadence
 Whenever you’re depressed or feeling stressed after a long day’s work, don’t you just want to stuff yourself with delicious bars of chocolate? Why does choco give us a natural euphoria? People love chocolate. Children love it too. They enjoy its sweet and delightful aroma and taste. But did you know that this well-loved confection offers more than its taste?
Research studies have unveiled the potential health benefits of chocolate over the past years. We may have experienced chocolate’s wonders, but I’m sure it would be interesting to find out how this beloved cocoa dishes out its magic.
Chocolate’s heart-friendly appeal
 A study published in 2006 investigated the effects of the usual intake of cocoa on the cardiovascular health of the elderly in Zutphen, Netherlands. The researchers assessed the diet and cocoa intake of 470 elderly men, measuring their blood pressure at baseline and after five years. The causes of death of some subjects were determined over a period of fifteen years.
After years of assessment, the researchers concluded that:
- Subjects who had higher cocoa intake had lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure compared to those who consumed less cocoa.
- "In prospective analysis, usual cocoa intake was associated with a 45% to 50% lower risk of cardiovascular disease." (Buijsse et al, 2006:414)
- Researchers observed that cocoa is also a rich source of antioxidants. It may also be potentially beneficial to those who suffer from pulmonary diseases and certain cancers.
Though we have always enjoyed the mouth-watering taste of chocolate, its decadence is still linked to effects that are usually ominous for our health. One common belief is that chocolate will cause tooth decay and toothache. Diet-conscious people look at chocolate as something that leads to obesity – a huge hindrance to achieving a slimmer body (Alspach, 2007). But then again, if we look at recent studies, there’s a body of evidence that shows that chocolate can be regarded as otherwise but superfood.
A rich source of antioxidant
Chocolate is known for its high antioxidant content. Coming from the cocoa bean family, chocolate is considered one of the richest sources of flavonoids that are believed to be a primary key in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. According to an editorial entitled "The Truth is Often Bittersweet…Chocolate Does a Heart Good", Grif Alspach mentions that flavonoids offer some great benefits as found by Cleveland Clinic’s Heart & Vascular Institute Guide. These benefits include:
- Exerts antioxidant protection against free radicals
- Helps reduce platelet activation
- Contributes to vasodilation(1) to improve blood flow and
- Positively influences production of eicosanoids to foster their role in cardiovascular health
Chocolate prevents heart disease, hypertension, diabetes complications and strokes.
More and more studies have confirmed these astonishing health benefits including one that finds chocolate to be helpful in improving cognitive function.
Chocolate – a powerful brain booster
Chocolate does not only maintain cardiovascular health, but it is also considered as a powerful brain booster according to this study.
The study posted in Science Daily was conducted by Professor Ian Macdonald, a metabolic physiology professor at the University of Nottingham. Results showed that individuals who consumed flavonol-rich cocoa generally increased their brain activity, as detected in the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Increased blood flow in the brain led to better functioning of key areas in the brain. This would be very helpful to those who suffer from Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s or Dementia, and also Stroke, which is a condition related to poor blood flow.
 Being healthy with just one drink
A hot chocolate drink can always enlighten your day. We offer you just the right drink that will give you these amazing benefits. Packed with the goodness of chocolate, Ningxia Goji Chocolate Drink Mix is giving you more!
 Double the benefits of chocolate with this powerful health drink containing huge health benefits from GOJI extract. Goji helps reduce bad cholesterol, improves memory, manages hypertension and improves cardiovascular health. It is one of the highest sources of antioxidants. And combining its high antioxidant level with that of chocolate simply means reducing the effects of free radicals that trigger cancer in the body. Enjoy a healthier life with just one drink.
Guess what, you’re just a sip away from enjoying all these benefits. Take your Ningxia Goji Chocolate Drink now and savor the synergistic goodness of goji and chocolate!
(1) Vasodilation: Widening of blood vessels resulting from relaxation of the muscular wall of the vessels. What widens is actually the diameter of the interior (the lumen) of the vessel. The opposite of vasoconstriction.
(2) Eicosanoids are hormones that are derived from long-chain essential fatty acids. Such as Omega-3 fatty acids. They represent the first hormones developed by living organisms some 500 million years ago. They are also the most powerful hormones since they affect the synthesis of every other hormone in the body.
References:
Alspach, Grif. (2007, February). The Truth is Often Bittersweet…
Chocolate Does a Heart Good, Critical Care Nurse, Vol. 27 No. 1, 11-15.
Retrieved September 7, 2009, from
http://ccn.aacnjournals.org/cgi/reprint/27/3/17-a
Buijsse, B. MSc, Feskens, E.J.M. PhD, Jok, F.J., Kromhout, D. PhD.
(2006, February 27). Cocoa intake, blood pressure, and cardiovascular
mortality: the Zutphen elderly study, Arch Intern Med, Vol. 166, 411-417.
Retrieved September 7, 2009, from
http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/reprint/166/4/411.pdf
Bioidentical Medical Dictionary. (2005, November 05). Eicosanoid.
Retrieved September 10, 2009, from http://www.bioidenticalmedicaldictionary.com/definitions/eicosaninoid.htm
MedicineNet.com. (1998, March 26). Vasolidation.
Retrieved September 10, 2009, from http://www.medterms.com/script/
main/art.asp?articlekey=5965
University of Nottingham (2007, February 22). Boosting brain Power --
with chocolate. ScienceDaily. Retrieved August 26, 2009,
from http://www.sciencedaily.com /releases/2007/02/070221101326.htm
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