Excuses to Eat Chocolate

Physical Health Benefits:
Cardiovascular:

• Reduces heart disease
• Protects cardiovascular system (flavonoids, polyphenols )
• Lowers blood pressure (flavonoids increase production of nitric oxide)(eat small bar of dark chocolate daily) 
• Lowers risk of a stroke and heart attacks (eat small amounts of dark chocolate regularly)
• Reduces the the blood's ability to clot (reduces platelet aggregation)(flavonoids)
• Makes blood platelets less sticky (reduces platelet adhesion)
• Improves blood flow to the heart
• Improves vascular function
• Lowers Cholesterol: Dark chocolate has also been shown to reduce LDL cholesterol by up to 10 percent.

Cancer:

• Anticancer (dark chocolate)
• Reduces risks of cancer
• Protects free radical damage (antioxidants)
• Dark chocolate contains large number of antioxidants

Other:

• Brain stimulation (improves blood flow to the brain)(dark chocolate)
• Improves energy metabolism
• Mild diuretic (Theobromine)
• Mild stimulant (Theobromine, Phenylethyamine)
• Balances certain hormones in the body
• Cough suppressor (dark chocolate)
• Animal research has determined that increased chocolate intake suppresses symptoms of migraines

Mental Health Benefits:

• Slight anti-depressant (a neurotransmitter, Phenylethyamine, serotonin)
• Stimulating effects (theobromine, caffeine, and phenylethylamine)
• Stimulates endorphin production (produces pleasure sensation) 
• Increases the level of serotonin in the brain (cocoa beans ) 

Chocolate Myths:

• Eating chocolate causes acne or aggravates acne
• Chocolate decays teeth 

Caution:

• Chocolate may be addictive
• Large consumption of cocoa and chocolate - increases the risk of obesity.
• Research shows that eating chocolate with a glass of milk could prevent antioxidants from being absorbed or used by the body.
• High level of theobromine within chocolate is detrimental to animal health (dogs, cats, parrots, and horses). Health issues include cardiac problems, nervous system problems, and death. 

Cocoa Beans Contains:

• Cocoa beans is fifty percent fat
• Cocoa beans contains two saturated fatty acids and one mono-unsaturated acid (exist in equal quantities)
• Contains polyphenols (flavonoids (high levels)  catechins, epictechins, and procyandins)(found in the nonfat portions of the cocoa bean)
• Essential minerals: magnesium (high), calcium, iron, zinc, copper, potassium (high), and manganese. 
• Vitamins: A, B1, B2, B3, B5 (pantothenic acid), C, D, and E 
• Amino Acids: Arginine, Phenylalanine, and Tryptophan
• Antioxidants
• Carbohydrates
• Starch
• Soluble dietary fibers
• Insoluble dietary fibers
• Stimulants: Anandamide, Caffeine (very low),  Dopamine, Methylated xanthines (theobromine, caffeine & theophylline), Monoamine oxidase, Oxalic acid, Phenethylamine, Phytates, Serotonin, Tannin, Theobromine (high levels),  Theophylline, Tyramine, Xanthines.

3 Types of Fats found in Chocolate (cocoa butter): 

The 3 fats exist in equal quantities.
Only 1 of the fat is harmful (Palmitic acids).

• Oleic acid (monounsaturated fat also found in olive oil)
• Stearic acids (forms of saturated fat, neutral effect on cholesterol)
• Palmitic acids (forms of saturated fat, raise cholesterol levels, raise risk of heart disease )

Disclaimer: 
Any information provided on www.answersoutlined.blogspot.com is for informational purposes only. The information provided is not provided as medical advice. Information in this article is not exhaustive, does not cover all conditions, and does not provide treatment for disease or illness. Information can become outdated when new scientific discoveries are made. Seek the advice of your physician before undertaking any diet, exercise, supplement, or medical program.

References:

En.wikipedia.org. "Types of chocolate - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." 1870. Web. 2 May 2013. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Types_of_chocolate>.

Cacaoweb.net. "Types of chocolate." 1886. Web. 2 May 2013. <http://cacaoweb.net/chocolate.html>.

Cady, Ryan and Durham, Paul "Cocoa-enriched diets enhance expression of phosphatases and decrease expression of inflammatory molecules in trigeminal ganglion neurons" Brain Research 1/29/2010

Miller, Michael Craig (February 14, 2013). "Can you become addicted to chocolate?". Harvard Health Blog. Harvard University. Retrieved 14 April 2013.