Eat

 ...it's Easter



& that means CHOCOLATE!


Dark chocolate with a high cocoa content is actually quite nutritious! It contains soluble fibre and is loaded with minerals too. Eg. 100g bar of dark chocolate with 70-85% cocoa contains:
11 grams of fibre.
67% of the RDA for Iron.
58% of the RDA for Magnesium.
89% of the RDA for Copper.
98% of the RDA for Manganese. Plus  potassium, phosphorus, zinc and selenium


The fatty acids in dark chocolate are mostly saturated and monounsaturated, with small amounts of polyunsaturates. Dark chocolate is loaded with
organic compounds that are biologically active and function as antioxidants. These include polyphenols, flavanols, catechins, among others. One study showed that cocoa and dark chocolate contained more antioxidant activity, polyphenols and flavanols than other fruits they tested, which included blueberries and Acai berries. The bioactive compounds in cocoa can improve blood flow in the arteries and cause a small but statistically significant decrease in blood pressure. Dark chocolate improves several important risk factors for disease. It lowers the susceptibility of LDL bad cholesterol  to oxidative damage while increasing HDL good cholesterol and improving insulin sensitivity. The bio active compounds in dark chocolate may also be great for your skin.The flavonols can protect against sun-induced damage, improve blood flow to the skin and increase skin density and hydration.There is considerable evidence that cocoa can provide powerful health benefits, being especially protective against cardiovascular disease. 

& the NOT SOOO BAD!!


100 g is a  large amount - not the amount you should eat everyday as it does come with 600 calories and some sugar too and is  easy to overeat on. So even dark chocolate is best consumed in moderation. It also contains stimulants like caffeine and theobromine, but is unlikely to keep you awake at night as the amount of caffeine is very small compared to coffee.  
Have a square or two after dinner everyday and really savor them.
Be aware that a lot of the chocolate on the market is very poor quality. You need to choose … organic, dark chocolate with 70% or higher cocoa content. Dark chocolates often contain some sugar, but the amounts are usually small and the darker the chocolate, the less sugar it contains.

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