Chocolate is an excellent snack for the quick relief of stress.
Dark chocolate that is! Dark chocolate has a high level of catechins.
Chocolate contains the antioxidants called catechins and flavonoids. Phenol is a flavonoid.
Researchers have found dark chocolate has 53.5mg catechins per 100gm, milk chocolate has 15.9mg catechins per 100gm and black tea has 13.9mg catechins per 100ml.
Phenols help protect against heart disease by reducing the presence of free radicals that damage cells and DNA. Phenols prevent fat-like substances in the blood stream from oxidizing and clogging arteries. Hence phenols help prevent clogging of arteries, hence help prevent heart attacks.
Ahhh, that is no excuse to eat a whole block of dark chocolate in one sitting!
Chocolate is high in calories and eating too much can cause weight gain and actually increase your risk of heart disease.
In fact a new study published in Journal of Proteome Research indicates that “eating about 4o grams of dark chocolate a day for 2 weeks reduced levels of stress hormones in the bodies of people highly stressed.”
Also, dark chocolate is known to stimulate the release of natural anti-depressant 
(serotonin) and hormone of happiness (endorphin).
So, whenever you are feeling blue or stressed, reach out for a few pieces of dark chocolate. Dark chocolate is considered dark when it has 65% or more of cocoa content.
Hot chocolate or hot cocoa has an even higher level of antioxidants, as it is the cocoa that is rich in catechins and flavenoids.
Here is a Dark Chocolate Cream Truffle Recipe – for a Special Treat! Enjoy!
