Simplitudes

There are a number of proven ‘power-foods’ out there in the market, but none so delicious as chocolate! Chocolate reduces your risk of both heart attack and stroke and because of it’s high anti-oxidant properties, protects the body against the formation of cancer cells. Chocolate also helps boost brain power and should be on every college student’s shelf, especially before tests and finals.

Chocolate also helps to improve the look, texture and tone of your skin. Forget the moisturizers, just eat chocolate. If you are suffering from any type of inflammation or water retention, chocolate will help to reduce both. This is especially good for women around their monthly menses when fluctuating hormones tend to swell us up. This is probably why a lot of women crave chocolate during this time, your body probably realizes it needs it! Finally, the obvious is that chocolate is all about passion, love and excitement! Just remember how we all feel when we see a great big red heart box of yummy chocolates at Valentine’s Day. Chocolate is definitely an aphrodisiac. Studies have shown that women who enjoy a piece of chocolate daily end up having more sexual desire and more sex period than those women who don’t.

The human brain contains cannabinoid receptors. These are the same exact receptors that are activated by tetrahydrocannabinol or THC! …the main chemical in marijuana. There’s no actual THC in chocolate so enjoy it legally!

Chocolate contains phenylethylamine much like amphetamines. The difference is a more balanced state of alertness rather than the jumpy and jittery feeling you get from coffee. Dark chocolate increases your alertness, heart rate and pulse but not to the unhealthy point that drinking too much coffee would produce. Dark chocolate can easily be taken on an empty stomach unlike coffee which can cause a nervous uncomfortable stomach feeling. Another advantage of dark chocolate is that it does not promote tooth decay. This makes a great choice for children needing a sweet snack.

When you eat chocolate, your brain releases chemicals called opioids. These are chemicals found in morphine and heroin. You will enjoy the over all feeling of well-being and euphoria.

The following is some chocolate terminology:

Chocolate Liquor – this type chocolate is made from cocoa beans that have been dried, roasted then removed from the shells. It’s then ground into a paste (also known as a cocoa mass) and finally goes through a melting process.

Cocoa Butter – This is the fattiest and creamiest part of the cocoa mass. This is the main component in white chocolate.

Semi-Sweet Chocolate – This type is produced in a combination of vanilla, sugar, cocoa butter and the chocolate liquor. It has a bold, dark and rich flavor.

Milk Chocolate – Same as semi-sweet but with extra sugar and milk solids.

Raw Cacao – is produced by smashing the fermented unroasted husked bean into bits.

The following are coca supplements you can actually take daily. They come in both capsules and chews!

1) Genuine Health’s Healthy Skin Chocolate Soft- Chews

2) Reserweage Organics Cocoawell.

3) Hero Nutritionals’ Healthy Indulgence New Dark Chocolate Bars (available in Bone Wise, Daily Wellness and two other varieties.

4) UDO’s Omega Truffles from Flora.