A Little Dark Chocolate a Day...

A little dark chocolate a day, can help reduce heart risk - according to new studies being published in the European Heart Journal.

Here's a quote from AP Medical Writer Maria Cheng:

"German researchers followed nearly 20,000 people over eight years, sending them several questionnaires about their diet and exercise habits.

"They found people who had an average of six grams of chocolate per day - or about one square of a chocolate bar - had a 39 percent lower risk of either a heart attack or stroke."

It's the flavonoids, found in vegetables and red wine which help to open up blood vessels and helps lower blood pressure.

More and more studies are confirming what chocolate lovers already know - that chocolate in moderate and small amounts - dark chocolate of at least 65% - is like an apple a day - it will help keep the doctor away.

Smith Organic Chocolates is dedicated to bringing you the latest nutritional information about health benefits of chocolate, as well as our product information and where we can be found.

Two New Studies - Chocolate can lower stroke risk

I love it! The more they study dark chocolate, the more health benefits they find!

These studies are hot off the press and are about to be released to the American Academy of Neurology's (AAN) 62nd Annual Meeting, being held in Toronto, Ontario between April 10 and 17.

In a press release dated February 11, 2010, the AAN said that an analysis of three studies contributed to this conclusion. Two studies focused on chocolate, the other focused on strokes. To quote the release:

"The first study found that 44,589 people who ate one serving of chocolate per week were 22 % less likely to have a stroke than people who ate no chocolate. The second study found that 1,169 people who ate 50 grams of chocolate once a week were 46% less likely to die following a stroke than peple who did not eat chocolate."

It's the flavinoids found in chocolate that are so healing. The study said, "Chocolate is rich in antioxidants called flavinoids, which may have a protective effect against stroke, but more research is needed."

Smith Organic Chocolates had a customer with Lou Gehrig's disease who felt better if she ate chocolate every day. I think it was also the gentle stimulation that chocolate provides. For more information on the non-caffiene stiumulant that chocolate is - see a previous post.

Smith Organic Chocolates is dedicated to bringing you the latest in chocolate news, information, and nutritional help. What do you think? Post a comment and let us know.

Chocolate for PMS? You bet!

Yes - evidently new research is saying that dark chocolate can be good for PMS!

Researchers and medical professionals already know that chocolate contains antioxidant flavonoids that help mood and heart functions.

Reseach is also showing that pregnant woman benefit from eating a bit of dark chocolate a day. We blogged on that a couple of months ago.

Now - I just saw in an article in Natural Products Marketplace, the current issue (October 2009) that new research is saying that women suffering from PMS (pre-menstrual syndrome) can now take heart that it's OK to eat a bit of dark chocolate.

"And while women typically experience chocolate cravings at the onset of their period, new research is looking into the effect of dark chocolate on PMS symptoms. They already know chocolate can help improve mood and stress problems, and data is now revealing flavonoids in cocoa may protect the brain from oxidative stress, improving cognitive function."

So go ahead ladies - eat a bit of dark chocolate at the onset of your next period! It's actually good for you!

Smith Organic Chocolates is dedicated to bringing you the latest in chocolate nutritional information as well as new product announcements and/or specials! What do you think? Post a comment and let us know!