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Is Chocolate Always Bad for You?

Diet and nutrition image.

The very word, “chocolate,” brings to mind images of a melt-in-your-mouth, rich and decadent substance that’s both comfort food and special treat!

Dentists and conscientious parents shun chocolate because of its sugar content, which promotes tooth decay, and Xanthine, a chemical that has properties similar to caffeine. However, there actually are some health benefits associated with chocolate that have some people rethinking that position!

Dark chocolate only, not milk chocolate or white chocolate, may actually be good for you! Dark chocolate is loaded with flavonoids, powerful antioxidants that help your body resist the damaging effects of free radicals that cause an increase in heart disease.

The benefits associated with eating dark chocolate include:

    • Reduction in LDL (bad) cholesterol by as much as 10%

    • Increased production of endorphins and serotonin, brain chemicals associated with feelings of pleasure

    • Reduction in blood pressure

    • Increased ability for the body to turn sugar into energy – benefits for those with diabetes

    • Improvement in healthy blood vessel function which results in better blood flow

Now please, don’t take this to mean you can eat as much dark chocolate as you want because of its health benefits. Remember, chocolate is loaded with fat and calories, which can cause weight gain.

Studies to measure the health benefits of dark chocolate have used about three and a half ounces (100 grams) of dark chocolate each day, which adds 400 calories to your daily dietary intake. You would need to balance that increase in calories through changes to your daily diet and/or through exercise. Also, in order to receive the maximum benefit from dark chocolate, it must contain at least 65% cacao.

Remember too that regular chiropractic care increases your odds of staying healthy by strengthening the function of your nervous system, which helps your immune system to fight disease. Dark chocolate can only do so much, while chiropractic care can have far-reaching effects.

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Dr. Bill Asks some important questions of interest to Aurora residents - Chiropractor Aurora Dr. Bill Asks...

How could chiropractic help a stomach problem?
Chiropractic works by locating and reducing areas of the spine compromising nerve communications between your brain and your body. If nerves to or from your stomach are irritated, your stomach won't work right. Chiropractors find the source of the interference, reduce it and allow your body to work as designed.
How long does it take to form a bone spur?
Many who begin chiropractic care think their problem happened "last week when you bent over funny." But pictures of the spine tell a different story. Chiropractors know it can take your body years to deposit the calcium necessary to form a bone spur. It's your body's response to stress due to gravity or joint malfunction. And chiropractic care can help.