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Why is that? What is it about chocolate that is so attractive?

There are a few reasons why the call of chocolate is so persuasive and while the chocolate bean itself may actually be good for you, the processing of chocolate makes it a bit suspect as something you want to be eating all of the time.

Powerful Combination

The magnetic pull of chocolate is the result of the combination of the chemicals inside chocolate and, well, the sugar. Let’s like at the chocolate part first.

Chocolate itself starts off innocently enough as a seed growing in an evergreen tree called Theobroma cacao. These chocolate beans are picked and then fermented and roasted. The end product is called cocoa.

Cocoa by itself is packed full of amazing nutrients and powerfully active constituents:

• Methylxanthines: such as aminophylline, caffeine, or theophylline. These chemicals relax (smooth and cardiac) muscles and stimulate the brain (CNS stimulation).
• Biogenic amines: These are biologically active substances in foods that are identical to those found in our bodies. Some of these substances, such as norepinephrine and serotonin, are found in our brains and can affect our moods. Other of these amines can change blood pressure, body temperature, and a number of other functions throughout the body.
• Cannabinoid-like fatty acids: Yes, this means that cocoa contains marijuana-like substances.

Add to these active constituents that cocoa contains a high amount of essential nutrients such as magnesium, flavonoids, iron, chromium, vitamin C, and zinc and you even more reasons to crave chocolate; especially for women around their menstrual cycle (when these minerals are needed by the body).

The Good Side of Cocoa

Combine the high amount of nutrients and the beneficial phytochemicals and you have a powerful combination for health. Cocoa has been shown to:

• Benefit Cardiovascular system: Reducing blood pressure, reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, lower LDL.
• Reduce Cancer: Reduced risk of cancer in populations who consume large amounts of cocoa.
• Improve the Brain: enhanced blood flow and may lead to improved cognition and mood.
• Be high in Antioxidants: Cocoa is higher in antioxidants, polyphenols, and phytochemicals than even coffee or tea.

The Darker Side of Chocolate

Here is the mistake that most people make when they think about the health benefits of cocoa: Chocolate is not cocoa. If you have noticed, I’ve mentioned the health benefits of cocoa and most studies have been done on the raw cocoa or very dark chocolate.

The problem with thinking that chocolate is cocoa is that when chocolate is made; many of the good nutrients found in cocoa are destroyed.

Sugar is also a main ingredient in most chocolate you encounter. Sugar is another very strongly addictive substance . And sugar, far from being innocent, is responsible for many of the diseases we face today: diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and even cancer and Alzheimer’s disease.

What to Choose

So, what is a chocoholic supposed to do?

First you need to know that even though processing of chocolate does destroy many of the good qualities of cocoa, there still are some health benefits. While your best approach is to avoid chocolate altogether, most people cannot stomach cocoa in its raw form.

If you simply must have some chocolate, choose ones that are low in sugar and high in cocoa, such as dark chocolate.

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Dr. Scott Olson is a Naturopathic doctor, expert in alternative medicine, author and medical researcher. Spurred on by his patients’ struggles with sugar addiction, he was determined to discover just how addictive and harmful sugar can be and ways to overcome that addiction. The result of that study is his book Sugarettes, which describes the addictive qualities of sugar and the harm that sugar does to our bodies.

Dr. Scott also writes a blog (www.olsonnd.com) which covers the latest in health and healthy living.

Angie Schumacher is a Certified Fitness Professional who trains clients in her home and is a Women's Boot Camp Instructor in Colorado. She is the author of The Fat Blasting Boot Camp Program and has offered a one stop website to help you with all of your health and fitness needs. Please visit www.BuildingABetterU.com to find exactly what you are looking for!

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