The health benefits of chocolate have been widely debated. So far studies involving chocolate have suggested that its health benefits are derived from chocolate's flavanoids content.

Flavanoids are naturally-occuring compounds found in plant based foods. They are reported to have potential beneficial effects on human health including, anti-viral, anti-allergy, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.

Antioxidants are believed to help the body's cells resist damage caused by free radicals. When the body lacks adequate levels of antioxidants, free radical damage can occur, leading to atherosclerosis (build-up of fatty deposits on artery walls) and to heart disease and other chronic diseases.

Chocolate in its purest sense, that is, the cocoa powder, is a beneficial food. It has the highest amounts of flavanoids. The cocoa butter is a vegetable fat high in saturated fats, but its most predominant saturated fat- stearic acid, does not appear to raise levels of low density lipoproteins (bad cholesterol) and serum cholesterol and the others have no net effect on cholesterol levels.
But is it bad for us?

Chocolate as a health food is a fairly new concept. Usually chocolate is described as being bad for you and has been implicated in many diseases and conditions. These include, acne, dental cavities, allergies, cancer, diabetes mellitus, heartburn, infection, kidney stones, migraine headaches and premenstrual syndrome.

However, there is no scientific evidence that chocolate either causes acne or makes it worse. Some argue that if anything chocolate actually reduces acne as it acts as a stress buster and promotes a feeling of calm and happiness. Since stress can cause breakouts- chocolate beats stress, therefore, beats acne.

Also chocolate does not necessarily cause dental cavities. However, chocolate in the form it is usually consumed, such as candy bars, contains greater amounts of sugar which is known to cause tooth decay, than other types of sweets.

The connection between chocolate ad migraine headaches is not as clear. Some studies suggest that chocolate does not trigger headaches, specifically migraines) any more than other substances.
- Nyam News

Rootz Underground launch reggae rock debut

Up close with Lady Saw

Half Pint delivers a stress free ride