Dark Chocolate Antioxidants

Chocolate lovers rejoice -- recent scientific and medical research has shown that dark chocolate contains beneficial antioxidants. This is not the case for white chocolate, milk chocolate or dark chocolate consumed with milk. However dark chocolate by itself is a potent source of free radical fighting antioxidants that can benefit your body in a variety of ways. The first thing you should know is what free radicals are and how they damage your healthy cells.


Free radicals are molecules which are very reactive in the body. They are naturally produced by normal body processes, for example sun exposure and exercise are two causes. Other causes are smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and even stress. While you can't eliminate free radicals completely because they are a natural part of life, you do want to fight against the damage they can cause to your body by consuming antioxidants. Free radicals cause oxidation of healthy cells much in the same way rust eats away at an old car. They are linked to a variety of diseases like cancer and heart disease.

Fortunately, antioxidants counteract the oxidation process by attaching to the free radicals and neutralizing them. Also, antioxidants can even repair damage that has already occurred. While antioxidants are no magic bullet they are thought by doctors and researchers to be very beneficial to health. There are many different kinds of antioxidants found in foods. Dark chocolate contains flavanols, a group of antioxidants that include catechins, epicatechins and procyanidins. In addition to the antioxidant benefits, these substances may also help regulate healthy cholesterol levels.

To get the most out of dark chocolate, look for brands with high percentages of cocoa. You will see dark chocolate on store shelves that actually states the antioxidant content on the packaging. One of the best dark chocolate antioxidants products is Dove Dark. This chocolate is enriched with cocoa that contains very high levels of flavanols as compared to other brands of dark chocolate. Aim for one serving of dark chocolate per day which is approximately a one ounce square. Serving size should be stated on the packaging. You might even want to enjoy your chocolate with a glass of red wine or cup of green tea to boost antioxidant levels even more.



Free Radicals & Antioxidants


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