Chocolate Has A Dark

Super Natural Secret

Chocolate ~ Natures Health Foods

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, 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 oz. 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 the dark variety 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.

In additional research conducted at Tafts University, it's been confirmed that "dark" improves insulin sensitivity.

Greater insulin sensitivity is something that almost all people with type 2 diabetes (the most common by far) will benefit from.

The fact is that millions of people take expensive drugs on a daily basis to increase their insulin sensitivity.

Know that "dark" is not used extensively in ice creams or cheap candies, but you will notice that more and more of the dark products and treats are seeing there way onto more and more grocery store shelves.

It's important to be aware though, that you and I eating lots and lots of this delectable sweet is not really what we want to do due to the calories, etc.

"Moderation" is the word.

An ounce a day will suffice.

It should also be noted though, besides enhancing insulin sensitivity, there is growing evidence that this dark variety could lower your blood pressure, improve your blood vessels functioning and also reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol.

So again, let's not go overboard.

Another tip:

Think genuine cocoa.

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

*ORAC UNITS PER 100 GRAMS

Acai Berries ~ 18,260

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

Brussel Sprouts ~ 980

Plums ~ 949

Alfalfa Sprouts ~ 930

Broccoli Florets ~ 890

Oranges ~ 750

Red Grapes ~ 739

Red Bell Pepper ~ 710

Cherries ~ 670

Onion ~ 610

Corn ~ 400

Eggplant ~ 390

SOURCE: Data from U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Journal of the American Chemical Society.

*ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) is a measure of the ability of foods to subdue harmful oxygen free radicals that can damage our bodies.

Now this recipe, truly, is decadence beyond belief.

Using Grand Marnier, it's really easy and doesn't take long as there aren't a whole lot of ingredients and the best part is... the results are nothing short of spectacular.

What more can you ask for.

Grand Marnier Chocolate Mousse

This dessert recipe will impress anyone and everyone!

Note that you're also using "premium" to get all those antioxidant health benefits.

5-6 servings

Ingredients:

5 oz. semi-sweet dark chocolate

2 - 1/2 oz. butter

1 egg yolk

3 egg whites

1 oz. of the golden elixer (GM)

Preparation;

Start by melting the chocolate in a saucepan slowly.

Take the pan off the heat, mix the butter and the egg yolk into melted chocolate.

Whip the egg whites.

Slowly fold in the liqueur and then the whipped egg whites.

Refrigerate and top with whipped cream before serving.

This chocolate recipe will impress your significant other, your friends and your family any time of the year.

We know you'll enjoy!

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