Homeopathic Heal Information - News about alternative medicine

Chocolate: A Health Food?

Ah, chocolate. Everyone's favorite food. That one thing everyone dies for and craves for. The dark, aromatic treat that emanates passion, romance, and happiness. But what made it so appealing and well-loved by everyone?2,600 years ago the Mayans from Mexico had already been drinking chocolate. Cacao beans, for them, were the ultimate status symbol. In 1500s, the Aztecs adopted the

Mayans' love for chocolate and associated it with Xochiquetzal, the goddess of fertility. A drink, called chocolatl, which was made of chocolate mixed with some spices and herbs, was a popular drink back then. Under the Pre-Columbian Mesoamerican era, chocolate was a luxury item among the European nobles. The well-known traveller

Christopher Columbus introduced cacao beans to Ferdinand and Isabel of Spain. Later, Hernando Cortes brought more of these to Europe and the rest is history.

There have been lots of debates about chocolate being a health food. So far, there are studies that show promising results. Here are only a few of them.

Chocolate was found to be a rich source of 400 compounds, ranging fromn vitamins to minerals like Potassium, Magnesium, Copper, Calcium and Iron. It has polyphenols, phytochemicals that help increase the body's natural defenses against certain illnesses.

Of all types of chocolates, dark chocolate seems to be the most promising when it comes to health, and a subject of some scientific studies.

Due to its high percentage of cocoa, dark chocolate is a rich source of flavanoids.

Flavanoids are also found in red wine, green tea and apples, but dark chocolate has more antioxidants per gram than all of these. Flavanoids are antioxidants that can prevent heart attack, stroke, dementia and hypertension.

Recently, a Swiss study suggested that eating dark chocolate each day may slow the hardening of arteries in smokers. A team led by Dr. Roberto Corti from the

University Hospital of Zurich assigned 20 male smokers not to eat any flavanoid-rich food for a full day before the study. Then they were made to eat either 1.50 oz of white or dark chocolate.

In a report published in the January issue of Heart, the ultrasound scans showed improved smoothness of the blood flow through the arteries, lasting for 8 hours.

The blood tests showed that the blood platelet activity was cut in half, decreasing the risk for blood clots. Antioxidant levels in the blood rose in those who ate dark chocolate.

A study published in 2004 suggested that at least 1.6 ox of dark chocolate each day for 2 weeks could cause a 10% increase in arterial blood flow.

Dark chocolate is found to lower blood pressure by an average of 10%, while improving the body's sensitivity to insulin. This is according to Jeffrey B.

Blumberg and his team from Tufts University. In their study, 10 mean and 10 women ate 3.5 oz of dark chocolate each day for 15 days. The subjects were suffering from high blood pressure but were not on medications. The results showed a dramatic drop in their blood pressure from eating dark chocolate.

Dark chocolate has stearic acid, the type that doesn't raise cholestrol nor harm the blood vessels. It may slow the oxidation of LDL or bad cholesterol.

But milk chocolate seems to have some good properties, too. A study hints that milk chocolate may boost brain function. In a research conducted by a team led by Dr. Bryan Raudenbush from Wheeling Jesuit University in West Virginia, a group of volunteers were made to eat on 4 separate occassions 85 grams of milk chocolate, 85 grams of dark chocolate, 85 grams of carob or nothing. After a 15 minute digestion, they were then made to complete come computer0based neuropsychological tasks.

The results revealed that the group scored the highest for milk chocolate than on all other conditions. Chocolate has theobromine, phenethylamine and caffeine - substances that act as stimulants, which then increase alertness and attention.

But despite the good news about chocolate, caution is advised to people against eating it for health reasons. For one thing, consumers have no way of determining if a chocolate is falavanoid-rich or not. Most chocolates available are not rich in flavanoids, according to health experts. And we all know that chocolates are rich in fat and sugar, leading one to gain weight.

http://www.450healthtopics.com is a word cloud page for health websites. Visit us now to claim your word for only $35.00 a year. To get your free 18 PLR health articles, subscribe to our newsletter by going to http://www.450healthtopics.com/blog/?page_id=16.

Bach Flower Therapy
About this therapy
Bach Flower Essences Shop (German)
Bach Flower Essences Shop (UK)
Where to buy Original Bach Flower Remedies
Doc Nature - Bach Flower Remedies Advisor
How to use Bach Flowers
About Bach Flower Remedies & Essences
Dr Bach
Read more about the life of Dr Bach

MORE ARTICLES:

The Center for Healing Arts Launches Exciting New Holistic Health & Alternative Medicine DVD Series
Imagine having an experienced and trusted Master or Alternative Healer accept a personal invitation to visit your home. Imagine sitting with them as you learn the secrets of healing they've learned through years of study and practice. They confide in you, sharing the mindfulness and spirituality they bring to their healing work.

Genital Herpes - Natural and Alternative Treatment Remedies
Modern medical science has not been able to produce a cure for the herpes simplex virus (HSV) and can only offer pharmaceutical solutions that help ease the pain and speed up recovery from a genital herpes outbreak. For those that don't want to turn to medication to manage a lifetime of outbreaks, several holistic and natural remedies may offer a safer alternative.

An Introduction to Bach Flower Essences Part II – The Seven Helpers
The 12-7-19 Method of Bach Flower ClassificationDr. Edward Bach, developer of flower essence therapy, classified the original 38 essences he used in his practice according to the 12-7-19 method: the Twelve Healers, the Seven Helpers, and the Second Nineteen.

Natural Health & Holistic Medicine Verses Doctors & Conventional Medicine
Our argument for choosing Natural Therapies over conventional medicine is this

Herbal Remedies, Natural Remedies
Finding your urinary tract infection cure can be a long process because you might have to try many different treatments. Several simple UTI treatments are readily available in present days. Individuals may use antibiotics, which have to be taken internally, as it cures the infection of urinary tract quickly. However, if infection is of severe type, then it may take a bit time to cure.

New Holistic Acne Healing Remedies
Exfoliation is absolutely vital to maintaining a clear, healthy and glowing skin The only snag though, is that as we gradually age, the exfoliation process tends to dramatically slow down

Genital Warts Natural and Alternative Treatment Remedies
Have you been diagnosed with genital warts caused by the HPV virus? If so, your physician has probably advised you of the more conventional treatments available such as pharmaceutical ointments, cryosurgery (freezing), electrocautery (burning) or laser treatment. While many people undergo these types of treatments, some opt for a less invasive natural solution by visiting a Naturopathic doctor.

Natural Sleep Aid Tips and Remedies
This article is a summary of some of the sleep aid remedies that are described in greater detail and with recipes and instructions at www.sleep-aid-tips.

Common Uses For Bach Flower Essences
For thousands of years, our ancestors used natural remedies to help individuals with physical or mental health problems These formulas were passed from generation to generation for centuries until modern medicine came into being

Yoga's "Swami-ji" Gives Blessing to First Virtual Holistic Health Alternative Medicine Center -- TheCenterForHealingArts.com
The deep need for in-depth experiential holistic heath alternative medicine information by practitioners, the medical community and a population striving for optimal wellness prompted filmmaker and holistic health meditation practitioner Victor Demko to the Himalayas' India/Tibet border area to seek the blessing for his idea of a virtual healing arts center www.thecenterforhealingarts.com, from a reclusive Swami living in the Himalayas at the source of the Ganges.

Home Remedies, Treatment To All Ailments By Herbal Homemade Remedies
Given below the list of Best Home Remedies for all common diseases and conditions. Try these effective home remedies for a few days and see the results.

ALTERNATIVE Health & Herbs REMEDIES a Non-Profit Christian Ministry, Alternative Natural Remedy Products have been Selected for Distribution by Amazon
Nutritional Products International, DelRay Beach, FL, is pleased to announce the addition of ALTERNATIVE Health & Herbs REMEDIES in Albany, Oregon, an herbal manufacturer to Amazon.com. An amazingly large selection Alternative Health and Natural Remedy products. Over 4,000 time proven natural remedies of tincture/extracts, teas, powders, salves, creams, lotions, capsules and tablets and more for Amazon.com customers.

Natural Health Remedies and Your Health
Health remedies are among the most important things you can utilize to gain full control of your health. Those that are natural are even better for you then others.

Ancient Essence's Frankincense and Myrrh Products Bring Early Healing Remedies to Modern World
In ancient times, frankincense and myrrh were common healing properties for a variety of ailments. Ancient Essence offers products derived from these resins, bringing time-tested benefits to 21st-century consumers, including an Ancient Essence customer who says a product from the company heals his pre-cancerous skin lesions.