Chocolate Protein

Why Eating Dark Chocolate as Part of a Healthy Heart Diet is Good For You.

A recent study isn't shy about suggesting regular consumption of small amounts of dark chocolate as part of a healthy heart diet could be good for your circulatory system.


Note the words small and dark. And forget about nugat and rich creamy centers. Instead we're talking pure chocolate... as close to its natural, rich, intense taste as possible.


Nutritionists have long known that since chocolate is derived from plants it potentially has many of the same health benefits as dark vegetables do - In fact it has almost 8 times the antioxidants of strawberries.


The reason for this high level of anti-oxidants is because they are packed with "Flavonoids" which are a natural part and parcel of cocoa (the main ingredient of dark chocolate). Once these little powerhouses get into your body, they work to gobble up dangerous free radicals that can cause the inflammation that brings on cardiovascular disease and cancer.


A large, well controlled Italian study, to be published in the Journal of Nutrition, has shown that dark chocolate can significantly reduce the inflammation that leads to heart disease.


The data came from the Moli-sani Project, one of the biggest epidemiological studies in Europe and involved the random selection of people 35 and older, in good health with no risk factors for heart disease.


The researchers looked at the levels of a protein (C reactive protein) in the bloodwork of the subjects while also noting their chocolate intake and adjusting for factors that normally are known to impact heart disease such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure.


Out of 11,000 possible participants, researchers identified 4,849 subjects in good health and free of risk factors for heart disease. Among them, 1,317 did not eat any chocolate, while 824 had the treat regularly, but only the dark variety.


The work, a collaborative effort between Research Laboratories of the Catholic University in Campobasso and the National Cancer Institute of Milan, found that those who ate moderate amounts of dark chocolate had significantly lower levels of the C-reactive protein in their blood, indicating their inflammatory state was considerably reduced.


And though the 17% reduction seems small, in terms of cardiac disease it's still enough to cut the risk of cardiac disease for one third of women and one quarter of men. That's a pretty significant reduction.


So just how much dark, delicious chocolate do you need to eat to get the effect?


Remember the emphasis on dark chocolate... in fact, the darker the better. You'll want to look for chocolate with 70%, or more, cocoa solids and little or no added sugar.


The product should also be made with cocoa butter instead of palm or coconut oils, and avoid "hydrogenated" or "partly hydrogenated" oils as much as possible.


Of course, a moderate intake is also key... as you might expect.


Start by looking at the total weight of the bar you're considering. The ideal amount, according to the Italian research, is 6.7 grams (.23 ounces) a day. You might try to break a typical bar into 6 pieces and eating one each day... or enjoy a larger piece every couple of days. By the end of the week, you'll want to have taken in no more than 47 grams (about 1.7 ounces) of dark chocolate. Not even a full candy bar. Eating more doesn't add to the anti-inflammatory effect.


And milk chocolate (white chocolate too) doesn't, sadly, have the same effect on inflammation. It seems that the milk dilutes the antioxidant effect of the substances in the dark chocolate. The same holds true for a glass of milk you might have with your indulgent treat... be sure to choose a different drink so as not to defeat the healthy heart diet benefits to your body of the dark chocolate.

About the Author


Over 14,000 people have joined Kirsten's popular (and sometimes controversial)
Daily Health Bulletin
, so why not join them and stay up to date with effective
heart diet
options and other health news daily.

You also get 5 comprehensive health reports free when you join - giving you all you need to treat common ailments, lose weight, look younger and feel healthier.

Double Chocolate Protein Cookie Recipe - Ep 34 - Made Fit TV

Blender Bottle W/Wire Ball-Large 28 Oz. Colors Vary $5.99 Tired of sifting lumps through your teeth? There's a better way. The patented BlenderBottle is the best-selling portable mixer simply because it works. No batteries, no cord, no hassle. It's powerful enough to mix the thickest ingredients with ease. Use it in the kitchen, at the office, at the gym, when you travel, or on the go. Spring thingy, wire ball, whisker ball, mixer thing, scrambler, littl...

Moo Mixer Supreme $10.53 Push Button Chocolate Milk Mixer. NEW styling for a proven winner! The NEW 16 oz. Moo Mixer Supreme features an easy to use trigger button, fun to hold handle and large detachable clear tumbler. Battery operated (two AAs, not included), dishwasher safe clear tumbler and the totally cool mixing action that makes a whirling vortex of power to thoroughly dissolve chocolate powder mixes or syrups!...

Portable Drink Mixer $3.99 This portable personal blender is fast and powerful, yet compact enough to take anywhere. Powered by two AA batteries (not included). Convenient size fits in pocket or purse. Carrying case included. Measures 5 x 2.25 in....

Powdered Peanut Butter - 85% Less Fat and Calories - 16 Oz $9.75 Product Description Through a unique process created by Bell Plantation that does not involve the use of any chemicals; over 90% of the fat is removed from the peanut. Essentially the oil is squeezed out of roasted peanuts and what remains is a peanut powder. The resulting all-natural product is unbelievable!The possibilities for PB2 are limited only by the users imagination and creativity! An out...

PB2 Powdered Peanut Butter and Powdered Cocoa Peanut Butter - 85% Less Fat and Calories - 6.5 Oz Each - 2 Pack $10.25 Through a unique process created by Bell Plantation that does not involve the use of any chemicals; over 90% of the fat is removed from the peanut. Essentially the oil is squeezed out of roasted peanuts and what remains is a peanut powder. The resulting all-natural product is unbelievable!The possibilities for PB2 are limited only by the users imagination and creativity! An outstanding natural pro...

KIND PLUS Gluten Free Bars (Pack of 12) Top-selling Cranberry Almond + Antioxidants is a delicious complementary blend of tangy cranberries and dry almonds. A delicious way to get 50% DV of Vitamins A, C, & E, 3g fiber and only 190 calories. Made with All Natural Ingredients You Can See and Pronounce™Low GI & Very Low Sodium Free of Wheat & Dairy Non-GMO, No Trans Fats No Hydrogenated Oils or Sulphur Dioxide Gluten Free All Natural...

KELLOGG SNACKS (KEEBLER) 00038000291876 SPECIAL KELLOGG PROTEIN- DOUBLE CHOCOLATE PACK OF 8 $13.99 ...

Kashi Go Lean Protein & Fiber Bars, Peanut Butter & Chocolate, 1.94 oz, 12/Box $62.99 Delicious fiber and protein bars provide calcium, folic acid and other great nutrients. Food Type: Protein Bar; Flavor: Peanut Butter & Chocolate; Capacity (Weight): 1.940 oz; Capacity (Volume): N/A. This item is a food/medicine item and cannot be returned. ...

Champion 189 Spark Plug , Pack of 1 $14.37 Champion 189 Glow Plug, Pack of 1...

Keebler 27240 Go Lean Protein & Fiber Bars, Chocolate Peanut Butter Bliss, 1.76 oz, 12/Box $21.42 Go Lean Crunch Bar features slow-release carbohydrates to balance blood sugar, and protein and fiber to help you stay satisfied. All-nature meal bar is made with a blend of crispy whole grain cereal and roasted peanut butter that is dipped in chocolate. Each bar contains 9 grams of protein and six grams of fiber and is individually wrapped....

Tags: chocolate, chocolate protein bar recipe, chocolate protein powder, chocolate protein shake recipes, chocolate protein smoothie, chocolate protein smoothie recipes, food, health, protein, recipes