*FREE delivery Australia wide. All prices
are in Australian dollars.
Quick links to order
products below
|
//$path="http://www.yummybunch.com.au/php/";
//include($path.'prodvars_main.php');
//include("http://www.yummybunch.com.au/php/prodvars_main.php");
//include "http://yummybunch.homeftp.net:8088/chocolatehampers/php/prodvars_main.php"
include "php/prodvars_main.php";
//echo $proddesclong[1];
?>
|
Health benefits of gourmet
chocolates
It is no secret that fruits, vegetables and grains convey health benefits
- we've been told that for years. But did you know that chocolate
could result in health benefits, more specifically heart-health benefits?
Thats right, you read it correctly. It all has to do with Flavinoids,
that work as an antioxidant in the body.
When cocoa is processed into your favorite chocolate products, it
goes through several steps to reduce its naturally pungent taste.
Flavonoids (polyphenols) provide this pungent taste. The more chocolate
is processed (such as fermentation, alkalizing, roasting), the more
flavonoids are lost
That means that dark and specifically handmade gourmet chocolates
retain more of these health benefitting flavinoids.
What about all of the fat in chocolate?
You may be surprised to find out that chocolate isn’t as bad as once
perceived. The fat in chocolate, from cocoa butter, is comprised of
equal amounts of oleic acid (a heart-healthy monounsaturated fat also
found in olive oil), stearic and palmitic acids. Stearic and palmitic
acids are forms of saturated fat. Saturated fats are linked to increases
in LDL-cholesterol and risk for heart disease.
Research indicates that stearic acid appears to have a neutral effect
on cholesterol, neither raising nor lowering LDL-cholesterol levels.
Palmitic acid on the other hand, does affect cholesterol levels but
only comprises one-third of the fat calories in chocolate.
Chocolate also contains a neurotransmitter, serotonin, that acts as an anti-depressant. Other substances, such as theobromine and phenylethylamine, have a stimulating effect.
This great news does not give us a license to consume as much dark
chocolate as we’d like.
First, be cautious as to the type of dark chocolate you choose: chewy
caramel-marshmallow-nut-covered dark chocolate is by no means a heart-healthy
food option. What wreaks havoc on most chocolate products is the additional
fat and calories added from other ingredients.
Second, there is currently no established serving of chocolate to
reap the touted cardiovascular benefits. However, what we do know
is you no longer need to feel guilty if you enjoy to indulge in fine
handmade gourmet chocolate, or give a chocolate gift once in a while.
|
|
|