It is difficult to believe that chocolate has any health benefits because it is quite high in fat and sugar. This means that it isn’t very good for some health conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes and acne among others. However, there have been a number of studies that show there are some health benefits to eating chocolate.
The main ingredient in chocolate is cocoa and this is known to contain phenolic compounds that are biologically active. This has helped to change opinions on chocolate and has triggered further research on its possible impact on aging and other conditions.
Chocolate is also known to contain good levels of antioxidants, but to harness these you would have to make sure you choose a chocolate bar with a high content of cocoa. Dark chocolate has higher cocoa levels than milk chocolate, so it is recommended to opt for one of these. Some brands of dark chocolate also have lower levels of fat and sugar.
Benefits of eating chocolate—
It is possible that some people may see that their cholesterol level is reduced when they eat this type of chocolate. It may also be able to prevent cognitive decline and could have a positive impact on cardiovascular issues. However, it should be noted that there have not been a lot of studies on this so more research is definitely required.
However, it is definitely worth adding some dark, organic chocolate to your diet just in case it can help you. Why not gift some good quality chocolate to friends and family for Christmas? Start with immediate family at the start of December with a chocolate advent calendar and then go on to pick up some tins and boxes to wrap as gifts for the day itself.
One of the disadvantages of chocolate is that it melts and this can mean sticky fingerprints all over the furniture – something that is sure to have a negative impact on blood pressure! Minimise this with easy to clean Ikea sofa covers and other surfaces that are either washable or can be wiped down. This will help to keep the clean up work to a minimum and leave your home looking pristine.
Chocolate can give you the feel-good factor but making your home cosy for Christmas will also help with this. Opt for good quality soft furnishings so that after the stress of arranging Christmas lunch and opening all the gifts, you can just relax. Consider contrast cushions to go with the sofa covers and matching curtains to coordinate the look of the room.
Of course, it is after the lunch that you will want to sit back and relax with your chosen chocolate for the day. Why not use some good quality dark chocolate in your Christmas baking and produce a chocolate log cake? This is a festive favourite and is sure to go down well with those who don’t like Christmas pudding. They are easy to make and if you are feeling particularly creative, you could always make and gift them to friends and family.
