Medi-Weightloss Clinics® talks dark chocolate and its health benefits.

Medi-Weightloss Clinics® (www.mediweightlossclinics.com), the nation’s premier physician-supervised weight loss program, is encouraging its patients to choose dark chocolate this Valentine’s Day. Once a guilty pleasure, dark chocolate’s health benefits have been widely reported. While the weight loss experts at Medi-Weightloss Clinics® warn that patients should not overindulge in this sweet treat, dark chocolate does have benefits when consumed in moderation.

Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate Dark Chocolate (not milk or white chocolate) offers far more health benefits than its delicious taste belies. Studies show that eating a small amount of dark chocolate two or three times weekly can help lower your blood pressure. Dark chocolate also is rich in flavonols, naturally occurring plant compounds that are known to have positive influences on vascular health, such as lowering blood pressure and improving blood flow to the brain and heart. These antioxidants may also help slow the aging process.

Antioxidants neutralize free radicals, which cause damage to cells, clog arteries, and contribute to chronic illness and aging. Eating antioxidant rich foods such as dark chocolate can protect you from many types of cancer and slow the signs of aging.

Chocolate also contains substances with mood boosting effects. One is phenethylamine, which triggers the release of pleasurable endorphins, making you feel happier. Phenylethylamine is the same chemical released in the brain when people become infatuated or fall in love.

Although dark chocolate does boast many health benefits, it still contains calories and fat and should be consumed in moderation.

Chocolate Sensations Now Medi-Weightloss Clinics® patients can indulge their sweet tooth and kick their hunger with Chocolate Sensations. These sweet indulgences feature a proprietary formula designed to support fat burning and suppress appetite. At only 39 calories per piece and 3g of fat, Chocolate Sensations, available in Dark Chocolate or Raspberry Dark Chocolate, are a healthy alternative on Valentine’s Day and year-round.

References:

Karin Ried, Thomas Sullivan, Peter Fakler, Oliver R Frank and Nigel P Stocks. (2010). Does chocolate reduce blood pressure? A meta-analysis. BMC Medicine, DOI: 10,1186/1741-7015, 8-39.

An Antioxidant Powerhouse. Retrieved from http://www.allchocolate.com/health/basics/antioxidant_effects.aspx

An Antioxidant Powerhouse. Retrieved from http://www.allchocolate.com/health/basics/antioxidant_effects.aspx

Bruinsma K & Taren, D.L. (1999). Chocolate: food or drug? Journal of the American Dietetic Association, Oct99(10),1249-56.