Chocolate Anyone.......?

Chocolate, hmmmm good or bad? Well after doing some research I happen to find that chocolate has so much to offer and tastes amazing! So next time you are chowing down on a helping of chocolate think of these awesome perks to having just one more bit!

1. The smell of chocolate may increase theta brain waves, resulting in relaxation.
2. Chocolate contains phenyl ethylamine, a mild mood elevator.
3. The cocoa butter in chocolate contains oleic acid, a mono-unsaturated fat which may raise good cholesterol.
4. Drinking a cup of hot chocolate before meals may actually diminish appetite.
5. Men who eat chocolate live a year longer than those who don't.
6. The carbohydrates in chocolate raise serotonin levels in the brain, resulting in a sense of well-being.

Wow, huh! Chocolate does a lot more than I thought it does for us? There are also many myths about the affects that chocolate may have on the human body these are some of the myths and half-truths:

1. Studies show that chocolate is not a causative factor in acne.
2. Chocolate is not addictive.
3. Chocolate contains stearic acid, a neutral fat which doesn't raise bad cholesterol.
4. Chocolate doesn't make you 'high'. You'd need to eat a huge quantity (about 25 pounds at one sitting) to feel any noticeable effect.

I only came up with two Negative things about this wonderful treat they are:

1. Chocolate may trigger headaches in migraine sufferers.
2. Milk chocolate is high in calories, saturated fat and sugar.

So eat on you chocolate lovers out there, just keep and eye on that milk chocolate. Steer for dark chocolate with a high coco content a sure winner! Yum Yum! From the health nut in me to all self conscious chocolate lovers in you!