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2008/04/23, 08:42 AM
It may be hard to believe that something as delicious as chocolate could actually be good for you. But according to a growing body of research, America?s favorite sweet treat comes with a host of surprising health benefits?from lowering cholesterol levels to boosting your brainpower. Read on for five guilt-free reasons to indulge in this decadent dessert (as if you needed any more convincing).
1. Healthier Cholesterol Levels. A recent study conducted at Penn State University found that people who ate a diet rich in cocoa powder and dark chocolate had lower oxidation levels of LDL ?bad? cholesterol and higher levels of HDL ?good? cholesterol.
2. Better Blood Pressure. According to a German study recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, a bite of dark chocolate a day may help regulate high blood pressure. The study?s authors suspect that the cocoa increases levels of nitric oxide, a compound that helps to relax and open the blood vessels.
3. Muscle Magic. It might seem like a strange choice for a sports drink, but chocolate milk may help boost athletic performance. In a recent Indiana University study, cyclists who drank chocolate milk between workouts scored better on fatigue and endurance tests than those who consumed standard sports beverages.
4. Brain Gains. According to the National Alzheimer?s Association, consuming dark chocolate can help reduce your chances of developing dementia later in life. In fact, a local chapter of the organization recently included dark chocolate in all the gift baskets it gave to attendees at the Maintain Your Brain program.
5. Disease-Fighting Power. Cornell University researchers recently found that cocoa contains nearly twice the disease-fighting antioxidants of red wine and up to three times more than green tea.
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Baseball is the only field of endeavor where a man can succeed three times out of ten and be considered a good performer
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2008/04/23, 08:45 AM
Can I ask a question on #3? Wouldn't a better study have been chocolate milk vs. regular milk? You've posted the values of milk after working out, and chocolate adds some carbs so not a bad thing after a workout.
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2008/04/23, 08:51 AM
Well, this post is more than about working out. :)
Read it for what it is.
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Baseball is the only field of endeavor where a man can succeed three times out of ten and be considered a good performer
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2008/04/23, 09:46 AM
lol - Now if go for a quick walk at lunch, and sneak a chocolate bar I don't have to feel guilty. I love it! First - I WALKED to get it, and apparently there are some other health benefits to it as well. Great post. THANKS!
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2008/04/27, 01:27 PM
#2 is particularly exciting. High blood pressure is dam near an epidemic in this country. Dark chocolate (high antioxidant containing cocoa) has been shown in numerous studies, both 'in vitro' and in human studies to have pronounced effects.
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Baseball is the only field of endeavor where a man can succeed three times out of ten and be considered a good performer
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