Do you remember Pac-man? That pellet-eater was the most popular thing in gaming before the days of Halo and Dance Dance Revolution. So what does Pac-man have to do Xocia? The antioxidants in chocolate perform in much the same way as the legendary Pac-man. They eat up free radicals that would otherwise cause damage to healthy cells.
Here’s what makes free radicals dangerous. They are missing an oxygen molecule. As a result, they steal oxygen molecules from other cells. When they do, that once-healthy cell becomes damaged. Antioxidants prevent damage from happening, keeping your immune system strong.
The benefits are clear. With a strong immune system, your body can more easily ward off the flu, colds and infection. In fact, the antioxidants in chocolate may actually help lower blood pressure and decrease chances of heart disease.
But here’s one thing you should know: Only dark chocolate contains an antioxidant advantage, according to Mauro Serafini of Italy’s National Institute for Food and Nutrition Research. It’s true. Not all chocolates are created equal. To get the most beneficial effect, you should eat chocolate that has at least 70 percent cocoa. Steer away from milk and white chocolate.
To add some outside credibility to that claim, take a look at this endorsement by Dr. Debra Millar, who served as the lead scientist on a study published by the Hershey Center for Health & Nutrition in the Chemistry Central Journal:
“Cacao seeds should be considered a ‘super fruit,’ and products derived from cacao seed extracts such as natural cocoa powder and dark chocolate, as ‘super foods’.”
What is it in chocolate that elevates it to the list of super foods? Polyphenols and flavonols. Those two groups of antioxidants are found in high concentrations in dark chocolate. Polyphenols are responsible for warding off degenerative diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases. And flavonols — according to a recent study by University of L’Aquila in L’Aquila, Italy — can help with cognitive function and even play a beneficial role in reducing the potential of Alzheimer’s.
So how do you like your dark chocolate? Bonus points if you mention Xocia!