Chocolate Has A Dark

Super Natural Secret

The Secret Power of Chocolate.

This may very well surprise you, but did you know that a paltry one ounce of the dark variety contains a huge antioxidant punch!

But, before you run off to the store, know that not just any kind will do.

You�ve probably heard that cocoa is rich in antioxidant flavonoids called flavanols, which include procyanidins, epicatechins, and catechins, right?

Well, studies have shown that people with high blood levels of flavonoids have a lower risk of heart disease, lung cancer, prostate cancer, asthma, and type 2 diabetes.

Marilyn and I think that�s pretty impressive!

Have you read these headlines before?

�Dark chocolate, the richer in cocoa the better�.

It�s not only a yummy treat, lo and behold, it can actually be exceptionally good for you.

One ounce of a very specific kind packs more than twice the healthy antioxidant punch of red wine.

This particular sweet treat contains "Cocoapro" cocoa.

It�s a proprietary, secretly processed cocoa that contains superhigh levels of flavanols.

So high in fact, that it is used in medical research.

Not only that, but several studies in animals and humans have shown the heart healthy effects of antioxidants contained in this dark treat.

One such study, led by Penny Kris-Etherton, PhD, RD, a distinguished professor of nutrition at Penn State University, established that those persons who ate a diet rich in cocoa powder and dark chocolate had lower oxidation levels of bad LDL cholesterol, higher blood antioxidant levels, and 4 percent higher levels of good HDL cholesterol.

Here are other good things research shows that "Cocoapro" cocoa can do.

Firstly, it acts as an antioxidant.

Research at the University of California, Davis compared the effects of 1-1/3 ounce of high flavanol dark with the same amount of low flavanol dark on 10 healthy people.

It was found that the Dove Dark had the highest heart healthy benefits.

It reduced LDL oxidation while raising antioxidant levels and HDL concentrations in the blood.

Similar studies have shown that the higher the "Cocoapro", the higher the levels of antioxidants in the blood and the less LDL oxidation.

Not only that, but it keeps blood platelets from clumping.

In the test tube, "Cocoapro" cocoa reduces blood clotting and it seems to also stabilize arterial plaque, which makes it less likely to travel and cause a stroke or heart attack.

The effect would be similar to that "suggested" of aspirin.

I know, we�ve all heard and read a lot about a daily dose of aspirin, right?

It also increases your blood vessels flexibility.

Unlike aspirin though, some of the procyanidins in "Cocoapro" triggers the production of nitric oxide, which assists in keeping arteries flexible, which in turn increases our blood flow.

This connection has potential implications for blood pressure control.

So, you might now be wondering - "does size really matter"?

Well, in this case, YES!

Research indicates that a diet containing about an ounce of dark a day, increases good cholesterol and prevents bad cholesterol from oxidizing, a progression that can lead to heart disease.

So should you run down to your local supermarket and load up on Snickers and Kit Kats for "medicinal purposes"?

I think we both know better than that. lol

It's fine to eat this dark decadent delight in small amounts, as long as you eat an otherwise healthy diet and can afford the calories.

We should try eating it with nuts or fruits to get more of the good fats and even more antioxidants.

My personal fave is chocolate covered Macadamia nuts.

We shouldn�t use these dark sweet treats as a substitute for fruits and veggies though.

It won't work that way.

Remember that an ounce of dark chocolate can contain 11 grams of fat, so you�ll have to compromise elsewhere in your diet to make room for these calories.

If you eat your 1 ounce piece of dark delicacy slowly and thoughtfully, it�ll satisfy your urges, which in turn can help in adhering to a healthy eating plan.

And we'd like to introduce to you our very latest addition to our "Super Foods" list;

The "Acai-Fruit" or "Acai-Berry" has rocketed to many experts #1 position.

This tiny, yet exotic powerhouse has 10 times more antioxidants than red grapes and 10-30 times the anthocyanins of red wine.

Why are we mentioning this "Super Fruit" here?

Because of it's exotic and sensual taste.

The taste can best be described as similar to that of a blueberry, with a hint of dark chocolate on the back pallet.

Ahhhh, now it comes together.

For additional information on "Natures #1 Super Food"

see;

Acai-Berries ~ The Amazon Thunder

**** Our Favorite Hot Cocoa ****.

This yummy cocoa is rich in antioxidants.

It takes just a few moments to prepare, but the reward is worth its weight in, well, chocolate!

Fill a mug with 1 cup of 1 percent milk, and microwave on medium for about 1 minute.

Carefully remove, you don�t want to scald yourself.

Add two Dove Dark Promises.

Stir gently until this dark decadence melts and enjoy!

Another tip:

Think genuine cocoa.

We�ve found that natural cocoa powder (not the instant hot chocolate type) has the largest amount of antioxidants, followed by dark, and then milk chocolate.

*ORAC UNITS PER 100 GRAMS

Acai Berries ~ 13,300

Dark Chocolate ~ 13,120

Milk Chocolate ~ 6,740

Prunes ~ 5,770

Raisins ~ 2,830

Blue berries ~ 2,400

Blackberries ~ 2,036

Kale ~ 1,770

Strawberries ~ 1,540

Spinach ~ 1,260

Raspberries ~ 1,220