Chocolate can be good for you!
I was reading this book about healthy food today, and was pleased to discover that chocolate was on the list of very healthy foods. Although I’ve known for a while that dark chocolate can be healthy, it was interesting to read about all the different substances it contains, many of which do great things for your body. Among other things, it contains the molecule that is often referred to as the “love molecule” (Phenylethylamine). It also contains magnesium, a substance which many women have a lack of during those special days when we get more irritated and have other mysterious complaints. It’s nice to know that there is a scientific explanation for a cure that I know many women rely on (bananas also contain magnesium, how about a banana split with melted chocolate?).
Of course, there are some downsides as well, as with everything that is good in life. Firstly, the mentioned health benefits come from the cocoa, not the sugar, so you need to make sure that you eat dark chocolate, at least 70% is recommended. Also, there is a risk of putting on weight if you eat too much chocolate, 40-50 grams a day is the recommended dose. However, the only situation where chocolate is really bad for you is when you have a migraine. Other than that, try taking a trip to your nearest chocolate store, get some real chocolate (not those bars which are mostly sugar anyway), and eat with good conscience!
July 27th, 2008 at 12:09 am
Dark chocolate is my favorite! How nice it is that I can eat it and not feel guilty. Oooh. Now, you have me hungry.
August 1st, 2008 at 7:36 am
I’ve read about this before. It’s especially thrilling to me because I prefer the extremely dark chocolates to the light (sugary) chocolates.
I always use it as an excuse to indulge every once in a while in some super dark chocolate.
August 1st, 2008 at 8:18 am
That’s such a funny coincidence…I was just talking to my mom today about this book she’s reading (The Sugar Solution) and it talks all about the same things about dark chocolate and benefits of it etc. I think it said Dove dark chocolate in particular was good because of certain ingredients in it or somesuch…dunno, I’ll have to read it myself sometime. Really interesting info though.
August 4th, 2008 at 4:01 am
I don’t like dark chocolate at all! We usually keep some on hand for the kids, though, in case of diahrea…
August 5th, 2008 at 10:11 pm
I found out that dark chocolate was healthy while ago… I’ve always loved it and I’ve always eaten much more than is good for me, but it’s nice to be able to justify the eating a little bit!
August 6th, 2008 at 4:54 am
mmmm! Dark chocolate is my fave! now i have an excuse to eat it when that time of the month comes around, hahahaha!
August 6th, 2008 at 11:42 am
I might possibly be the only woman in the world but… I hate chocolate!
Oh well, it’s good news for lots of other people!! 
August 7th, 2008 at 3:00 am
Yes, I realized last time mother nature had her monthly visit and I had some chocolate I felt much better.
It sucks that it makes migrains worse though… I have those all the time. 
August 8th, 2008 at 3:19 am
I love chocolate just not all the time but its awesome to know that chocolate is good for you hehe. Its amazing what chocolate can do for you.
August 9th, 2008 at 8:38 am
I’ll take dark chocolate over milk chocolate any other day! I knew it was healthy and chockful of antioxidants, but I didn’t know about it being good for those “special days” like you said. Quite interesting! I’ll definitely remember this when the times comes
August 11th, 2008 at 8:29 pm
UGH.. of course chocolate is good for us! YUM! I couldn’t live without it.. I think im addicted! aahhh… *looks around for a piece of chocolate..*