BEST LIFE HERBALS	EDITORIAL
May 2008

The World's Most Seductive Food...

8 Reasons to Indulge Now!

By Cheryl Malcham

There is nothing in the world like dark chocolate. It is decadent, sensuous, flavorsome, luscious, and delicious. And – now we can add to the list – healthy.

Research studies are uncovering wondrous health-yielding qualities of this king of treats. And the findings are nothing short of astonishing...and welcoming... especially if you sometimes feel a tinge of guilt nibbling on the tasty morsels.

Before we talk about why you must start indulging, let's get clear about an important point. When it comes to health benefits, we're talking only about dark chocolate. Not milk chocolate. Not caramel or nougat-filled chocolate. Not even white chocolate. These other chocolates have no special health benefits. Nothing. Just sugar and fat you don't need.

You may be wondering... "Okay, I already battle with the bulge. And now you're going to tell me to eat chocolate?What about the calories?"

The good news is the kind of chocolate used in the studies is low in sugar. In fact, the lower the sugar and the higher the cocoa content, the healthier the chocolate is. Look for bars or baking chocolate that contain at least 70 percent cocoa – and very little sugar or carbohydrate.

Further, as clinical research progresses, researchers are examining the effects of smaller and smaller doses. There now appears to be significant benefits in eating only modest amounts of chocolate (and that's a good thing for the belly).

You may still want to plan for that extra 100 or so calories, but I think you'll be convinced it's worth it. Step up your exercise a bit or eat a slightly smaller portion of dinner (but don't cut back on the healthier foods). Savor the chocolate for dessert. So, what exactly are all these healthy attributes of chocolate?

1 - Re-charge Your Sex Life.

Chocolate for better sex?

Sure, we've all heard about chocolate's aphrodisiac qualities. There's probably some truth to it. Can't hurt to tuck away a few chunks, that's for sure.

But its true benefits go much deeper.

The biggest cause of "bedroom problems" for men appears to be declining levels of nitric oxide due to aging blood vessels. Nitric oxide (NO) is a naturally occurring gas in the body that controls erections, as well as many other important organ functions.

Blood vessels use NO to relax and dilate arteries, thus increasing blood flow. Your ability to attain and sustain an erection depends on how easily blood flows throughout your body. Specifically, nitric oxide aids in relaxing the blood vessels going to your penis.

As we age, arterial walls harden and plaque builds. With this, NO levels dive. Blood flow slows from the resulting inflammation and blockage. Less blood flow means not enough nitric oxide to keep your arteries open.

Unfortunately for men, not enough nitric oxide or adequate blood flow means little or no erection.

The bottom line: Dark chocolate contains substances called flavanols, which increase the levels of nitric oxide in the blood. Flavanol-rich cocoa actually ignites NO production, dilating arteries, right down to the penis.

And here's the best news yet: The actions of flavanols are especially powerful in the over-fifty crowd!

2 - Boost Your Brain Power.

A ten-year study from France suggests these same substances in chocolate – flavanols – also increase blood flow to the brain. This large study of 1640 subjects revealed improved memory, reaction time, and problemsolving skills in adults over the age of fifty with diets high in flavonoids – chocolate as well as tea, coffee, and certain fruits and vegetables. Chocolate is an especially rich source of the flavonoid sub-group, flavanol.

3 - Safeguard Your Heart.

Chocolate has been shown to have a beneficial affect on cholesterol levels. It's been shown to reduce LDL or "bad" cholesterol by up to 10 percent.

The fat that chocolate contains is mostly stearic acid and oleic acid – both known to not raise blood cholesterol levels. Concerned about caffeine? An ounce of chocolate only has about a tenth of the caffeine in a cup of coffee.

Studies show dark chocolate lowers stickiness of platelets and the tendency of blood to clot, thus reducing the risk of heart health problems.

4 - Ward off the Silent Killer.

Chocolate also can lower blood pressure.

What's the secret behind this? It appears to be the anti-oxidant-rich cocoa phenols. Researchers at Tufts University have discovered dark chocolate may lower blood pressure by an average of 10 percent. In the same studies, they also observed a positive effect on insulin sensitivity – another bonus for chocolate lovers.

5 - Slow The Clock of Aging.

Dark chocolate is loaded with antioxidants – or polyphenols – that protect your body from the ravages of free radicals.

Free radical damage of cells speeds up with age. And free radicals cause inflammation and aging – or breakdown – of the cells and tissues in your body.

For maximum anti-oxidant benefits, eat dark chocolate by itself. Milk interferes with the absorption of the valuable antioxidants from the chocolate. And the purer the chocolate – that is, the higher the cocoa content – the lower the fat and the higher the antioxidant activity.

6 - Get That Radiant Glow.

A German study revealed flavanol-rich cocoa contributed to improved skin appearance – moister, smoother, and less scaly and inflamed when exposed to ultra-violet (UV) light. Why? The researchers believe the flavanols protect the skin and increase blood flow to the skin cells by absorbing UV light.

And then there's nitric oxide again. Aging of the skin is accelerated with a lack of NO – most likely due to the loss of healthy blood flow from nitric oxide.

7 - Calm That Nagging Cough.

Troubled by a cough that doesn't respond to anything? Try some chocolate. Yes, that's right. Dark chocolate.

A key ingredient in chocolate, theobromine, has been discovered to be a third more effective in controlling coughs than prescription codeine. A study from London found the effects lasted for four hours and without side effects.

It's thought that theobromine acts on the vagus nerve – the nerve triggering the coughing reflex.

And get this: chocolate cough syrup is on its way!

8 - Uplift Your Spirits.

Chocolate is the world's most seductive food. This decadent treat seems to bring so much pleasure. And it's not just in our heads... well, maybe it is, at least partially.

Now there is research proving its feel-good qualities.

Chocolate boosts serotonin and stimulates endorphin production in the brain. The end result is improved mood and a sense of well-being.

And, of course there's nitric oxide. NO has a calming effect. When we're low on our supply of NO, we feel tired, stressed, and emotionally drained. Flavanol-rich cocoa comes to the rescue by activating production of nitric oxide.

So go ahead. Indulge. Savor some chocolate tonight. You'll be doing your body good. And who knows what else may happen?

Pass me another chunk of chocolate, please.


References:

Engler MB, et al. "Flavonoid-rich dark chocolate improves endothelial function and increases plasma epicatechin concentrations in healthy adults". Journal of the American College of Nutrition. 2004;23(3):197-204.

Taubert D, et al. "Chocolate and blood pressure in elderly individuals with isolated systolic hypertension." Journal of the American Medical Association. 2003;290(8):1029-1030.

Wan Y, et al. "Effects of cocoa powder and dark chocolate on LDL oxidative susceptibility and prostaglandin concentrations in humans". American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2001;74:596- 602.

The American College of Cardiology. "Flavanols Key To Potential Chocolate Benefits." Science Daily. 2005, September 29.

Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) Journal. 2004, November 17.

Letenneur L, et al. "Flavonoid Intake and Cognitive Decline over a 10-year Period", Amer Journal of Epidemiology. vol. 165, no. 12, pp. 1364-1371.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Cheryl Malcham

Cheryl Malcham has been studying nutrition and the healing sciences since her college days. Armed with academic degrees in Clinical Nutrition, early on she chose to part ways with the traditional viewpoints of her peer group and the medical profession. Rather, she pursued the pathway of holistic healing.

As a pioneer in the alternative health sciences field, Cheryl is an accomplished writer and teacher on nutrition and natural health issues. Through her writing, she strives to empower others to positively influence their personal well-being.