The Health Benefits Of Organic Dark Chocolate

By Michelle Howe


People all over the world love to eat chocolates. Some of these, like a milk bar with many added sweet ingredients, is obviously not good for your health. However, organic dark chocolate not only tastes good but has many wonderful health benefits too. It can be eaten without any feeling of guilt.

Products are only certified organic if they conform to strict standards. They must be grown under certain conditions. No pesticides or synthetic fertilizers may be used. Genetically modified organisms and ionizing radiation are not allowed. There is an emphasis on sustainability too.

Fortunately, as demand grows, producers are creating bars using more real cocoa. Often these bars show a percentage on their wrappers, which indicates the amount of ingredients in the bar that actually come from the cocoa bean. There are other ingredients used in these bars like unrefined cane sugar and emulsifiers. Some people prefer bars without emulsifiers like soy-lecithin and they usually have a higher cocoa butter content.

Most of the cocoa of the world is grown in West African countries like Ghana. The trees grow well in equatorial conditions where there is a humid tropical climate with regular rainfall and a short dry season. Many manufacturers are committed to selling only fair trade products. Fair trade means that producers in developing countries have fair trading conditions and the workers who grow, pick and clean the beans are paid a fair wage.

The higher the cocoa content, the better a bar is for your health. A high level of antioxidants is found in cocoa. These are stable and easily available to human metabolism. They absorb free radicals which can cause cell and tissue damage.

Cocoa beans contain many minerals such as zinc, iron, copper and magnesium. These minerals help to regulate blood pressure and keep the heart healthy. They therefore decrease the risk of many cardiovascular diseases. They can also improve glucose metabolism which decreases the risk of diabetes.

One of the ingredients in cocoa is tryptophan. This is an essential amino acid that the brain needs to produce serotonin. High serotonin levels give rise to happy feelings. It does not only contain serotonin but other neurotransmitters like dopamine too. Many people consume chocolates when they are feeling down for its comforting properties and ability to elevate their mood.

Although the health benefits of dark chocolates are unquestionable, people often think that they have a bitter taste. They are often pleasantly surprised. The taste is much more intense than that of a more processed product and many people prefer this. Other ingredients like fruit or vanilla may be added to soften any bitterness.

These products are becoming so popular that they are more widely available than ever before. They are sold at health stores, farmers markets and at many online stores too. One can easily place orders online at the websites of manufacturers. If you want to enjoy the pleasure of chocolates without any of the guilt, make sure that you choose organic dark chocolate.




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