Monday, April 27, 2009

Dark Chocolate - Good For You?

How many people do you know who don't like chocolate? It's safe to say not many, right? Dark chocolate is especially yummy and as it turns out it has health benefits as well. This is especially so with dark pure coco chocolate. It almost seems too good to be true. Most people probably know that chocolate like coffee begins with a bean. Cocoa beans from cocoa trees were first manufactured into chocolate over three millennia ago in tropical South America. It has since become the most popular of all sweets on Earth. With its many varieties and different tastes chocolate is the go to of all candy ever manufactured.

Although darker chocolate is an acquired taste it remains the most popular amongst true cocoa lovers. The production of chocolate is almost synonymous with that of wine. The cocoa is harvested from the cocoa trees and then beat into a pulp. The pulp is then put into containers where it is fermented, much like the grapes used in making wine. After they are fermented the beans are laid out in the sun to dry, usually for 5-7 days. Once dried they are then shipped to a processing plant where the beans are cleaned of impurities and blended with other ingredients depending on what kind of chocolate is to be made.

Different chocolate types go through slightly different processes. Milk chocolate goes through a different process than dark chocolate for instance. Then once the desired taste has been achieved, the chocolate is stored and shipped to its final destination. Darkest chocolate as mentioned before is not only a tasty treat it can be beneficial to different body systems. It has been suggested in medical studies that pure chocolate is particularly good for circulatory health. There have been modest reductions in blood pressure reported by people who regularly ingest dark chocolate products. It has also been shown to reduce bad cholesterol and prevent heart attacks.

One thing to keep in mind if you are interested in the health benefits of dark chocolate is to get the right kind of chocolate. You need to be sure that it is manufactured with no harmful additives that take away from the health benefits. But once you find the right chocolate you will be happy that there is also another great benefit to this type of chocolate. It has been known to be an aphrodisiac! Dessert that is healthy and sexy!

Adeaze was born in China in 1962 but grew up in America where she attended College and University. Since 1999 she has been a nutritionist teaching in England. http://www.worldbusynews.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adaeze_Zheng

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