Is eating chocolate good for your heart? According to a study in the Journal of Internal Medicine, it is. Researchers found that eating chocolate at least twice a week lowered the risk of heart-related death following a heart attack by 66 percent.
The scientists examined the chocolate consumption of 1,169 first-time heart attack victims for one year and then followed them for eight years. They found that survival rates increased with higher chocolate consumption.
What is good for your heart is good for your brain, so pay attention to this study. Although it didn’t differentiate between dark chocolate and milk chocolate, I can tell you that dark chocolate contains more brain-friendly antioxidants than milk chocolate.
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I wish someone could clarify how much danger there is in the sugar in most chocolate bars, even dark chocolate. The pure raw cocoa beans are bitter without sugar. How much sugar can one ingest daily without harming the brain?
The human body is limited to approx. 39 grams of sugar per day. Bear in mind that everything we consume is converted to “sugar”. It is “simple” sugars that are dangerous as they trick the body into producing too much insulin to convert the simple sugar into usable glucose. The insulin molecules, just doing their job, convert the simple sugars too quickly. The “left over” insulin molecules attach themselves to the organs and tissues, the cornea etc..that store sugar for emergencies. This is viewed by the white blood cells as an attack on these organs and tissues. The white blood cells then surround and destroy the errant insulin molecules. This removal causes damaged places on said organs and tissues. Diabetics have this damage causing them to sustain injury to the nervous system and causes Glaucoma for instance, as well as a host of other problems. Flour products are simple sugars. So cut out the bread and enjoy your chocolate!
In re: Chocolate, how much can one eat and how much sugar should/can be allowed without harming the brain? Thank You, gene
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Guylian has a dark chocolate made with Maltitol, available at World Market. Sans milk or refined sugar, It’s the best ever. And GlobalSweet will ship you chocolate bars made with Xylitol. I regain the antioxidants I lost when I cut coffee.
Sugar [as in white sugar] lowers our immune system within minutes after consumption. That is why our medical practices discourages added sugar consumption for those persons who need to have strong immune systems. Cancer patients, auto immune issues, etc.–you name it. There is evidence that for the average person who consumes the sugar in the standard American Diet [SAD] their compromised immune system leaves them open to attack from the Super Bugs including the Flu’s that we’re all so worried about. So, yes chocolate is great, but as was said, try eating it without sugar and it is disgusting. Eating something good mixed with something bad for the body –like sugar–well, it defeats the purpose.
Hi, Interesting to read about chocolate and sugar. I think I’m correct in the belief that the more bitter the chocolate, the less the sugar content, hense 80-95% chocolate bars, which are available, would do the least amount of damage…. BUT what about chocolate sweetened with Splenda? What do all you Smart Ladies and Gentlemen have to say about it’s effect’s on the body? Thanks, P
Splenda is not good for you.
Chemicals used during the refining and manufacturing processes pose health problems that have experts very concerned.
And for God’s sake, NEVER EVER use anything with Aspartame in it.
Of all the artificial sweetners, Aspartame isis the absolute worst, and is a known neurotoxin.
When possible, look for products that are sweetened with Xylitol or high-quality Stevia.
These sweeteners are MUCH lower on the glycemic index, and therefore will have little or no negative impact on your blood sugar and therefore your brain.
I know the super dark chocolates seem bitter at first, but once you get used to them they aren’t anymore. It’s a different experience, not as creamy but more tasty… Hard to explain but if you haven’t given yourself a little time to get used to the high cocoa content bars, you might want to.
I use organic dark chocolate with organic honey and organic milk. It makes a very nice warm drink. Yes I know honey is a form of sugar but I believe I am getting some good in the honey. Often I will add Krukus as well.
What about eating chocolate with a healthier kind of sugar, such as agave or stevia?
In order to get my chocolate fix with the least amount of sugar, I used to eat semi-sweet Baker’s chocolate. Since then, I have learned about Xocai healthy chocolate, which I use daily. This chocolate is cold-processed, retaining most of the anti-oxidants, and the only sugars used are natural ones, such as raw cane juice. Acai berries are also added. No fats, fillers, or caffeine are added. The sugar content is quite low, because the person who developed this line of chocolates has diabetes. This chocolate is only available through a distributor. For more information, including a complete list of ingredients for each product, please visit my website, healthychocolateriches.com
Splenda, aspartame, sucralose ie. all the artificial sugars are neurotoxins. They destroy the myelin sheaths covering your nerves. The FDA said no to aspartame but Donald RUmsfeld got his friends in congress to pass a bill allowing it to be used in foods. It is now in over 800 nonfood products. There is an epidemic of multiple schlerosis caused from drinking to many diet sodas ( with splenda or aspartame) a day 6 or more. I believe they are now referring to the diseases caused by these poisons as Rumsfeld disease.Do your own reserach , dont trust me. Find out for yourself.
There is a great healthy chocolate product called Xocai, pronounced “sho-ci”
with no sugar, no dairy, in fact it is vegan and considered a raw food because of the cold processing. Please see the website.
This is MLM and I would love to introduce you to this fabulous product.
Oh yes, one more thing … the website is http://www.ultimatechocoholic.com “Xo” … is the Mayan spelling for cacao, “cai” … is for the acai berry that is also in this product. Pronounced “Sho-ci” The owner of the company is diabetic and it is very diabetic friendly.
Just one more important thing …
I should have said “no refined or processed sugar.” The product is sweetened with a diabetic-friendly, natural, low-gylcemic raw cane juice crystals along with fructose from blueberries & concord grapes, but nothing artificial and no preservatives.
What does Dr. Amen say about Splenda? I love chocolate milk and have been drinking Carnation Instant Breakfast with Splenda to satisfy my desire for chocolate milk.
If Spleanda is not good for you. Then what is the name or brand of a sugar subsitute that I can use without risk to my health.