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Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Chocolate in moderation can be healthy (Dr. Mercola)


 
Dr. Mercola
February 24, 2009
 
Chocolate in Moderation Can Be Healthy
 
In recent years, there has been a great deal of research into the ways in which the compounds in chocolate interact with your bodies' systems, from the stomach to the heart. Several studies have found that in small amounts, dark chocolate in particular can help prevent the blood from clumping, keep the heart healthy and even provide some anti-cancer benefits.

Dark chocolate contains certain antioxidants called polyphenols that could help fight chronic inflammation of tissues in the circulatory system, which is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. One study showed that people who ate a small amount of dark chocolate daily (about 6.7 grams) had lower levels of a protein associated with inflammation. Research has also suggested that these same antioxidants could help reduce your chances of developing cancer by fighting the cell damage that can lead to tumor growth.

Of course, that doesn't mean you can eat that whole bar of chocolate all at once and expect health benefits. Moderation is key.