questions on chocolate

Question
Dear Mr Rapitis,
    My name is Christian and I am doing a report on chocolate and I need to ask an expert some questions. Is chocolate healthy for you? Does it make you hyper? What is chocolate?

Thanks again,
Christian

Answer
Hello Christian!

    I would be happy to help you with your question.  Chocolate does not contain enough caffeine to make you hyper however, if eatin excessively can lead to being overweight. Chocolate is made using beans harvested from the cocoa tree, Theobroma cacao. The beans are removed from their pod, fermented, dried, roasted and then ground to produce a cocoa mass or cocoa liquor. This is then pressed to yield cocoa butter and cocoa cake which is ground up into cocoa powder.
    Recent studies have shown that dark chocolate can be good for your health. Why choose dark chocolate?

   * Contains flavonoids called procyanidins & epicatechins; flavonoids are part of a group of antioxidants known as polyphenols and are found in a variety of foods including tea, red wine, and various fruits and vegetables
   * Decreases LDL (bad) cholesterol oxidation
   * Reduces the risk of blood clots
   * Increases blood flow in arteries
   * May lower high blood pressure
   * Cocoa may have a beneficial effect on cholesterol levels because it consists mainly of stearic acid and oleic acid. Stearic acid is a saturated fat but unlike most saturated fatty acids, it does not raise blood cholesterol levels. Oleic acid, a monounsaturated fat, does not raise cholesterol and may even reduce it.
   * May improve mood and pleasure by boosting serotonin and endorphin levels in the brain
   * Contains a number of minerals, including calcium, magnesium, and potassium

   For more questions to your nutrition questions check out "Ask the Nutritionists: Answers to Your Nutrition Questions" available at www.authorhouse.com, online or at your favorite bookstore!

-George Rapitis, Bsc. Nutritionist
www.juiceblend.com  

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