I recently read a report on Dove Dark Chocolate.  You've probably recently heard about chocolate, dark chocolate in particular, having healing properties.  I personally love Dove dark chocolate, so I  was very excited to read an article about how good Dove dark chocolate is for you.

It turns out the Dove dark chocolate contains Cocoapro cocoa, a proprietary, specially processed cocoa with superhigh levels of flavonols - so high that it is actually used in medical research. 

Cocoa is rich in antioxidant flavonoids called flavonols, which include procyanidins, epicatechins and catechins.  Studies have shown that people with high blood levels of flavonoids have a lower risk of heart disease, lung cancer, prostate cancer, asthma and type 2 diabetes.  There are more Catechins and Epicatechins (mg) in Dove Dark Chocoate (41mg) than regular dark chocolate (20mg), red wine (16mg), small apple (9mg) and black tea (5 mg).

Researchers at the University of California compared the effects of 1.3 oz. of high-flavonol Dove dark chocolate with the same amount of low-flavonol dark chocolate on 10 healthy people.  They found that only the Dove dark chocolate had heart-healthy benefits.  It reduced LDL oxidation and boosted antioxidant levels and HDL concentrations in the blood.  It also reduces blood clotting; may also stablize arterial plaque, making it less likely to travel and cause a stroke or heart attack.  (The effect is similar to that of aspirin, but tastes better!) 

If you eat your chocolate with citrus, it was found that more heart-protective antioxidants were released.  Researchers at the University of California found that ascorbic acid (found in citrus fruits) releases more of the antioxidants so you'll actually get more benefits if you pair the two together. 

Real cocoa (not the hot chocolate type) has the most antioxidants, followed by dark chocolate. 

Please note that while dark chocolate is good for you, it should also be noted that you need to eat healthy and don't go overboard.  One ounce of Dove dark chocolate a day is enough.  I buy the Dove Dark Chocolate Promises (5 of these is 1 oz.).  So go ahead everybody, eat your Dove Dark Chocolate and ENJOY!!!  :-)

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