Is chocolate good for you?

Answer 1

Pros:
-According to a recent News (MSNBC) story there is recent research that shows that chocolate can provide natural health-promoting substances called flavonoids. A flavonoids seem to help prevent heart disease and cancer. In addition, the flavanols and procyanidins in chocolate improve the function and flow of blood vessels and help control inflammation.
-eating chocolate makes you feel good. It increases brain levels of several chemicals, including mood-altering PEA (phenylethylamine, related to amphetamine), which produces a mild, confidence-instilling buzz.
-as everyone knows chocholate has a caffiene intake. Low intakes of caffeine can be beneficial, as they improve fat metabolism, exercise endurance, increase alertness and decrease the perception of effort and fatigue.

Cons:
-chocolate packs a lot of calories
-Sweetened chocolate contains lots of sugar, producing glucose swings which, as well as encouraging you to eat more, are increasingly linked with the development of obesity and type 2 diabetes.
-Chocolate that contains a lot of sugar can also cause swings in levels of endorphins - brain chemicals that affect mood. This can, in turn, produce mood swings as well as carbohydrate cravings
-The fermentable sugar present in chocolate has the potential to trigger tooth decay.


so really it's up to you to make the choice :)

Answer 2

Only in moderation, as all things are!

However, if you've got a health problem like diabetes, ask a doctor for advice. Dark chocolate is said to be better for you, but I wouldn't trust all the new "scientific finds" that the media digs up for us every half hour. The evidence is often still being studied and debated, so I say just stick to your ol' fruits and veggies if you want a healthy snack. Nothing wrong with a crunchy carrot stick!

Answer 3

Yes, recent studies show that dark chocolate " plain chocolate , i.e without milk " but not white chocolate " chocolate with milk " is good for you :
it lowers blood pressure, it is a potent antioxidant which help fight heart diseases , cancer and is especially good for smokers. it also alleviates mood and is good for thinkers.
my advice to all who is reading this right now is to go to Amazon Chocolate Store : http://astore.amazon.com/chocolate-20
BUY the best dark chocolate bar on there and start enjoying all the benefits of dark chocolate.

Answer 4

Yummmm....
Yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum!!!!!


According to this article based on scientific studies, chocolate has a number of health benefits.

"Researchers have some news for chocolate lovers: it may be good for you. Scientists reported preliminary evidence recently that cocoa and other chocolates may keep high blood pressure down, your blood flowing and your heart healthy.
"The research, the latest which correlates eating flavonoid-rich foods with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, was presented in February at the American Association for the Advancement of Science's (AAAS) annual meeting in Boston.

"One study found that a substance in cocoa helps the body process nitric oxide (NO), a compound critical for healthy blood flow and blood pressure. Another study showed that flavonols in cocoa prevent fat-like substances in the bloodstream from oxidizing and clogging the arteries, and make blood platelets less likely to stick together and cause clots. Flavonoids are plant compounds with potent antioxidant properties; so far, scientists have found more than 4,000 kinds. Cocoa beans contain large quantities of flavonoids, and so do red wine, tea, cranberries, peanuts, strawberries, apples and many other fruits and vegetables. The flavonoids in chocolate are called flavonols.

"Generally, science has found that dark chocolate is higher in flavonoids than milk chocolate. The way that cocoa powder and chocolate syrups are manufactured removes most flavonoids."

Answer 5

This is on Yahoo News:

Chocoholics were given further reason to rejoice on Saturday when a small clinical study showed that dark chocolate improves the function of blood vessels.

Answer 6

Well they say it is.. then it isn't.. which makes me look at the bigger picture.
We don't know sh*t..
First we think coffee is good, then no its not good to drink daily. Chocolate is the same way.. I remember in 6th grade I was watching the news and they said eating chocolate on a regular basis was risky for diabetes or something. A year ago now, they're saying it's good for blood or something.
Why believe anything strictly?

Answer 7

Dark chocolate is good for you because it lowers high blood pressure but white chocolate and milk chocolate is not good for you.

Answer 8

yes! dark moreso than others, but defintley in moderation. dark chocolate carries antioxidants thats also found in berries, and dark greens that is wonderful for your body! a couple years ago there was a book on good morning america, written by a french woman, that was titled somewhere along the lines of why french woman were so thin, or the french woman diet.. .in the book, olive oil, red wine, and dark chocolate were chapters amongst many others that talked about the diet and why they were such key components. moderation! moderation!

Answer 9

Chocolate is good for you. Everything is good for you. Infact a lot of people eat whatever they want but stay healthy by eating the serving size only. lol that doesnt mean if you have a candy bar where the serving size is half a bar you go eat half then later have the other half. :)

Answer 10

Avoid milk chocolate and chocolate loaded with sugar. Enjoy in moderation.

One more study just came out about the benefits of chocolate (the dark variety without sugar)

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070324/hl_nm/heart_chocolate_dc;_ylt=Ak5AqkoeftbFb_8xh1QUt7HVJRIF

Answer 11

Preferably dark chocolate is good for you. I've heard that it helps with lower the risk of diabetes. other chocolates are fatty and high cholesterol.