Remember the old days when folks thought chocolate caused acne, rotted your teeth and made you fat?   Boy-oh-boy, were they misguided or what?!

Scientists now tell us that dark chocolate (the kind that contains 70% cocoa solids) is good for us! It’s contains more magnesium than any other natural source.  Magnesium deficiency is linked to hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, joint problems and pre-menstrual stress (PMS). It is also important as it helps improve vascular functioning by relaxing blood vessels and stopping cholesterol from congregating in them.

And even better – cocoa stimulates the secretion of endorphins, producing a sensation similar to a runner’s high (Amen! The high without the exercise. Don’t bogart that chocolate bar, my friend), and it also contains a neurotransmitter called serotonin that acts as an anti-depressant.

There are over 300 chemicals in chocolate and researchers still aren’t quite sure how these chemicals interact with our bodies to make us feel so incredibly good.

Essentially, chocolate is a legal drug.  Let’s get to it.

Fun Chocolate Facts (source:  Chocolate Manufacturers Association)

• Chocolate is America’s favorite flavor. A recent survey revealed that 52 percent of U.S. adults said they like chocolate best.

•  U.S. chocolate manufacturers use about 3.5 million pounds of whole milk every day to make chocolate.

• Sixty-five percent of American chocolate eaters prefer milk chocolate.

• The melting point of cocoa butter is just below the human body temperature — which is why it literally melts in your mouth.

• Most Americans (63%) can’t resist buying a chocolate treat for themselves when buying chocolates for someone else.
• Half of Americans (51%) choose what chocolate they eat by the shape of the piece.

For more chocolate, join Our Lady of Weight Loss‘s Club:  Kick in the Tush Club/Facebook!

Spread the word–NOT the icing!