Chocolate > Chocolate and heart health ? fact or fallacy?

Chocolate and heart health ? fact or fallacy?

Wouldn't it be wonderful if chocolate and heart health went hand in hand. However, there is so much information lately about the health benefits of chocolate that it is only natural that people get confused.It is true, that if people only ate pure cocoa, then there might be heart health benefits. The problem is that most people eat processed chocolate bars containing sugar, corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, dairy cream not to mention other "baddies" contained in some of those tasty fillings. Some of these added ingredients can clog up arteries and create havoc to your waistline.That said, you might be surprised to find out that chocolate isn't all that bad. In fact, the fat content in chocolate, contained in premium grade dark chocolate, is comprised of equal amounts of oleic acid (a heart-healthy monounsaturated fat also found in olive oil), stearic and palmitic acids.

Stearic and palmitic acids are forms of saturated fat ? not so good. Saturated fats are linked to increases in LDL-cholesterol and risk of developing heart disease. Research indicates that stearic acid appears to have a neutral effect on cholesterol; neither raising nor lowering LDL-cholesterol levels. Palmitic acid on the other hand, does affect cholesterol levels but only comprises one-third of the fat calories in chocolate. Therefore, if we base our chocolate eating habits on latest research, the fat issue isn't so worrying.

Beware milk chocolate may not be so heart healthyAs with mist things in life, there is also a down-side to chocolate. When we eat milk chocolate or lower grade chocolate, part of the total fat content comes from milk fat or various other types of fat contained in the processed chocolate, and not from the pure cocoa, which do adversely affect cholesterol levels.Despite all the good news on cocoa not raising LDL cholesterol, even dark chocolate is a very calorie-dense food, so while the fat content may not invite heart disease or clogging of the arteries, its regular consumption will add a lot of extra calories to someone's daily total. In fact, many chocolate bars list sugar as the number one ingredient. And as we all know lots of white refined sugar is not going to help you keep your waistline nice and slim. Remember obesity is a serious risk factor for developing heart disease.Concerning cholesterol, new and yet-to-be-published studies are showing that some antioxidants contained in chocolate, in particular dark chocolate and cocoa powder, may actually increase "good" (HDL) cholesterol levels by as much as 10 percent.

In the studies, the selected people ate 22 grams of cocoa powder and 16 grams of dark chocolate every day The result: Their "bad" (LDL) cholesterol was less susceptible to oxidation, a process that normally leads to artery-clogging plaques. While many people take vitamins and other antioxidants to help prevent plaque development, the study shows that cocoa could help.In summary, whether chocolate and heart health do walk hand in hand is still an open topic, however, in moderation it won't do your heart any harm, however, watch those calories. Most of all, enjoy it cause it tastes so good!.

Nicholas Webb is the author and webmaster of the site www.AllAbout-Heart-Disease.com that offers user-friendly articles, tips and advice for avoiding heart disease and living your life to the full!

Masters of Chocolate look abroad and see something even richer

(ContentDesk) March 3, 2006 -- Five years ago, the Belgian chocolate maker Jean Galler collaborated in opening a restaurant in southern Namur where the main courses are flavored with chocolate. "For example, you might have a foie gras with a touch of chocolate in a sauce," he said, "or a salmon salad with a vinaigrette with white chocolate."The restaurant was a huge success, and, last year, Mr. Galler, who trained in Switzerland and has 30 stores, 13 of them in Belgium, opened a chocolate shop in Fort Lauderdale, Fl, and plans to open other outlets in the United States."The Mayas and the Aztecs used chocolate as a spice," he said, over hot chocolate in his shop in the upscale Uccle neighborhood of Brussels. And indeed, a package of three of his chocolates contains varieties spiced with curry, ginger and angelica."Mexico is our roots," he said. The relative youth of the gourmet chocolate market in the U.S.

means it has plenty of room for growth. American tastes are becoming more...

Masters of Chocolate look abroad and see something even richer

Chocolate > Masters of Chocolate look abroad and see something even richer

Chocolate Cake

Chocolate-the drink of the Gods, has forever been man's sinful indulgence. Chocolate comes in many shapes and sizes, and it's used for many recipes, but none surpasses the chocolate cake ? first place in popularity.

A chocolate cake can be made from any type of chocolate. It can be made from plain, dark chocolate or "bitter" chocolate that contains little or no added sugar. Cakes can be made from white chocolate, which tastes sweet and is very rich and smooth, almost with a melt-in-your-mouth quality.

Cakes made with organic chocolate win hands down for they contain a very high percentage of cocoa solids. However, this type of chocolate is very expensive.

Innovation is the buzzword in chocolate circles now and along with chocolate you will find varied other ingredients added to the cake to woo your taste buds. There is the chocolate and orange angel cake, the tangy cinnamon cake, the hot spicy chocolate ginger crunch cake made with ginger syrup...

Chocolate Cake

Chocolate > Chocolate Cake

Can You Live Without Chocolate?

Copyright 2006 Eva Moffat

Is chocolate a craving with you?
Are you a secret chocolate eater? Are you denying it even to yourself?

Research has shown that certain chemicals in the brain may cause the cravings.

So does having cravings make you addicted to chocolate?
Are you a chocaholic?

The problem is that constantly telling yourself that you are addicted and therefore unable to help yourself is self-defeating.
Whatever you tell yourself will if said often enough, make the subconscious mind believe what you are saying is the truth.
Your subconscious mind does not reason it just accepts whatever it is told without question.

If you are addicted to chocolate, like any other addiction it is an illness, no different from being addicted to drinking, smoking, gambling or drug taking.
Many homes have broken up because one of the partners has developed an addiction and this usually can...

Can You Live Without Chocolate?

Chocolate > Can You Live Without Chocolate?

Best Recipes: Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies

Chocolate fudge cake cookies stuffed with macadamia nuts and white chocolate morsels. Mmm mmm ? it doesn't get any better than this. 2/3 cup macadamia nuts, coarsely chopped1 pkg chocolate fudge or devil's food cake mix1/3 cup butter or margarine, melted? cup sour cream1 egg1 cup white chocolate, coarsely choppedDirectionsPreheat oven to 350 degrees.Place nuts onto ungreased 15x10x1-inch jelly roll pan. Bake for 7 to 10 minutes or until lightly toasted.Combine cake mix, butter, sour cream, and egg in large bowl. Beat at low speed for 1 minute, scraping bowl often.

Increase speed to medium; beat 1 minute (dough will be thick). Stir in white chocolate and toasted macadamia nuts by hand.Drop dough by level tablespoonfuls, 2 inches apart, onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes or until set. Let stand 2 minutes; remove from cookie sheets..

? Donna MondayLove Cookies? All your favorites herehttp://www.best-cookie... Best Recipes: Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies

Chocolate > Best Recipes: Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies

Chocolate and heart health ? fact or fallacy?

Stearic and palmitic acids are forms of saturated fat ? not so good. Saturated fats are linked to increases in...

Chocolate and heart health ? fact or fallacy?

Chocolate > Chocolate and heart health ? fact or fallacy?