Chocolate is extremely rich in antioxidants. The many valuable nutrients in chocolate include antioxidants, protein and essential minerals. Most significantly, raw chocolate (or cacao) contains the highest concentration of antioxidants of any food in the world. These antioxidants include flavonoids such as polyphenols, catechins, and epicatechins, the same antioxidants that are present in red wine and green tea. By weight, cacao has more antioxidants than red wine, blueberries, acai, pomegranates, and goji berries combined.
Antioxidants, sometimes referred to as phytonutrients, protect the body from free radical damage, the cause of premature aging and degenerative diseases such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis and many more.
Over the years, chocolate has been processed more for taste than for nutritional value. As a result, many of the nutrients in chocolate are lost when the cacao is processed.
Nutrients in Chocolate: Calories, Fat, Fiber and Protein
A one-ounce (28g) serving of chocolate contains 130-150 calories (most of them from fat), with 9-12g of fat. Raw chocolate, however, also has 9g of fiber and 4g of protein, whereas dark and milk chocolate has very little of either.
The Most Significant Nutrients in Chocolate
Cacao is the best natural food source of the following nutrients:
Magnesium: Cacao is one of the best food sources of magnesium. Magnesium is one of the great alkaline minerals. Magnesium balances brain chemistry and builds strong bones. It also helps to keep the heart beating steadily, aids stable blood sugar levels and helps keep blood pressure at an healthy level. Magnesium is the most deficient major mineral in the Standard American Diet, with over 80% of Americans chronically deficient.
Potassium, Iron and Zinc: Iron carries oxygen around the body and helps you to make energy from food. Potassium keeps your kidneys healthy and muscles functioning, while zinc is needed for a strong immune system and cell division.
Chromium is an important trace mineral that helps balance blood sugar. Nearly 80% of Americans are deficient in this trace mineral.
Anandamide is an endorphin that the human body naturally produces after exercise. Anandamide has only been found in one plant – cacao. Anandamide is known as the “bliss chemical” because it’s released in your brain when you’re feeling great.
Theobromine: Cacao usually contains about 1% theobromine. Theobromine is an effective anti-bacterial substance and kills the primary bacteria that causes cavities. Theobromine is a chemical relative of caffeine, but is not a stimulant. Theobromine dilates the cardiovascular system and is one of the major reasons why cacao is a valuable part of a heart-healthy diet.
Other Nutrients in Chocolate
Manganese helps assist iron in the oxygenation of the blood and formation of hemoglobin.
Zinc plays a critical role in your immune system; it’s also involved in thousands of enzymatic reactions throughout your body.
Copper is an essential trace mineral that helps build healthy blood.
Phenethylamine (PEA) is found in abundance in cacao, and plays a role in increasing focus and alertness. PEA is heat sensitive, so most conventionally-processed chocolate is missing phenethylamine.
Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that is transformed into stress-protective neurotransmitters such as serotonin and melatonin. Tryptophan is also heat sensitive and not retained in conventionally-processed chocolate.
Serotonin is the primary neurotransmitter in the human body, similar to tryptophan and melatonin. Serotonin helps build up your resistance to stress.
How to Get the Most Benefits of Dark Chocolate
As mentioned above, the benefits of chocolate are only available from deep, dark varieties. Milk chocolate is a highly-processed food and has virtually none of the benefits of dark chocolate.
When you’re choosing a dark chocolate bar, the higher percentage of cacao, the better. If you’re accustomed to milk chocolate, you may want to start with a dark chocolate bar that’s lower in cacao, and gradually switch to bars with a higher cacao content. Again, the higher the better.
Discover more of the Benefits of Dark Chocolate and learn how to choose the healthiest type of chocolate to eat.
Stan Mrak has had a passion for antiaging nutrition and preventive health for over 30 years. Pay a visit to his website at http://www.antioxidants-for-health-and-longevity.com and discover more about the importance of antioxidants for staying young and preventing disease.
