Monday, October 11, 2010

Advantages And Disadvantages Of Eating Chocolates

By Greg Pierce

"There are many who love chocolates. From hot chocolate, chocolate cake, chocolate chip cookies, chocolate brownies, and the list goes on forever. But how knowledgeable are we when it comes to the effects of chocolates especially for our health?

Let's talk about the positive effects or the pros of eating these sweets. According to research, chocolates contain large quantities of antioxidants. These antioxidants help neutralize harmful chemical reactions that occur while metabolic processes take place in our system. Chocolates are also said to benefit the circulatory system by promoting good blood flow. Some people have even said they noticed a moderate drop in their blood pressure when eating dark chocolate daily.

People feel good when they eat chocolates. It increases brain levels of several chemicals, including mood-altering chemicals, phenylethylalanine and anandamide, which produce a mild, confidence-boosting effect. It also has a chemical that lifts a person's mood and theobromine, a stimulant that energizes you. It is also an anti-cancer substance, a brain stimulator, and its prevents cough and diarrhea. There are many reports that have confirmed the aphrodisiac effect of chocolates. There were even some claims that eating these tasty candies can help slow down the decline of brain functions as we grow older.

However, overeating chocolates can lead to obesity. This is one of the reasons why many, especially the women, avoid eating too much of it. Fat and sugar and other factory-added substances, can have an addictive effect. Another big problem people have when eating the candy is tooth decay, especially with the younger age group, those who eat too much chocolate and have poor oral hygiene. The fermentable sugar present in chocolate has the potential to trigger tooth decay. But the antioxidants may help to offset the acid-producing potential to a certain extent, while the calcium, phosphate and other minerals present, especially in milk chocolate, may also reduce the harmful effects on teeth.

We should observe moderation when we eat chocolates so that we can enjoy the health benefits that it can give us especially when we include it as part of our healthy diet regimen.

The negative effects of chocolates are actually within your control. You'll surely have a healthy chocolate-sweetened life if you only eat the right amounts.

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