We love chocolate in general, I’m sure you feel the same ^_^.
When we used to take cake orders, one of our customers’ favorites used to be the Fudge Chocolate Cupcakes.
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| Our Death by Chocolate Cupcakes |
These got us to thinking about chocolate; mmm…other than it being deliciously heavenly of course ^_^. We decided to find some interesting facts about it and share with you. Definitely food for thought!
1.) Cocoa and dark chocolate may support cardiovascular health.
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| Chocolate helps to have a healthy heart |
In one study, it was discovered that small but regular amounts of dark chocolate were associated with a lower risk of a heart attack.
Dark chocolate in moderation, is good for your heart!
2.) Other studies have observed a small reduction in blood pressure after consuming dark chocolate daily.
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| Dark Chocolate |
One particular study found that after consuming dark chocolate a participant’s blood pressure decreased and the participant showed improvements in insulin sensitivity; meaning they were better able to metabolize glucose.
3.) It has also been discovered that in cocoa solids and chocolate, there is an alkaloid called Theobromine.
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| Chocolate makes you smile |
Theobromine is partly responsible for chocolate’s mood-elevating effect.
That means chocolate makes you happy ^_^.
4.) A preliminary study showed that after exercising, consumption of low fat chocolate milk provided equal or possibly superior muscle recovery compared to a high carbohydrate recovery beverage with the same amount of calories as the milk.
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| Glass of low fat Chocolate milk-guilt free. |
So grab a bottle of low fat chocolate milk after a work-out and don’t feel guilty about it!.
5.) A study, one that we particularly like, indicated that melting a piece of chocolate in one’s mouth produced an increase in brain activity and heart rate that was more intense than that associated with kissing, lasing 4 times longer after the activity ended.
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| Better that kissing? |
Wow, meaning that eating chocolate feels better than kissing. Do you agree?
6.) Limited research also indicates that cocoa or dark chocolate may produce certain health effects.
Cocoa in a test-tube has shown antioxidant activity. Antioxidants are substances that may protect your cells against the effects of free radicals. Free radicals are molecules that are known to cause cancers.
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| Chocolate for better health |
7.) It is also good to note that excessive consumption of large quantities of chocolate; (especially milk & white chocolate which have low to no health benefits) without corresponding increase in activity, increases the risk of obesity.
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| Eat chocolate but don’t forget…. |
So make sure as you indulge in a bit of chocolate every once in a while; it is totally alright as long as you exercise often ^_^.
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| …to keep exercising. |
8.) An interesting fact we found our in relation to animals and chocolate is that in sufficient amounts the theobromine found in chocolate is toxic to animals.
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| Pretty Kitty ^_^ |
These includes horses, dogs, parrots, small rodents and cats. Chocolate is toxic to them because their systems are unable to metabolize the chemical effectively.
If animals ingest chocolate, the theobromine may remain in their circulation for up to 20 hours; possibly causing epileptic seizures, heart attack, internal bleeding and eventual death. A 20 Kg (44lbs) dog will experience great intestinal distress after consuming less than 240gms (8.5 oz.) of regular milk chocolate (dark chocolate would be even more harmful to them).
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| No chocolate = Happy cat ^_^ |
So for all you pet or animal owners, make sure they don’t ingest any chocolate, just to be on the safe side.
Aren’t you happy to know that chocolate, especially cocoa and dark chocolate, are good for you in small amounts – regularly ^_^!
Do you know any other facts about chocolate? Please Share ^_^!
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