Dark Secrets

IF your tall-dark-handsome fix comes in a foil wrapper, here8217;s good news : You can actually claim it8217;s good for your heart in phys...

IF your tall-dark-handsome fix comes in a foil wrapper, here8217;s good news : You can actually claim it8217;s good for your heart in physiological ways as well. A recent study by the University of California says that dark chocolate can improve the flow of blood in arteries and relax the blood vessels significantly.

So what8217;s the catch? The quantity. Gorging on a whole bar is not going to do your heart any good. Munching on a couple of squares will.

How is dark chocolate good for me?
In much the same way red wine is good for the heart. Both red wine and dark chocolate have anti-oxidation properties which protect the heart and arteries from oxidative damage think rust on exposed iron. The key ingredients in this case are the flavonoids, also found in berries, apples, peanuts and tea.

8216;8216;Obviously, we aren8217;t talking about common bars of chocolate. It is dark, bitter chocolate that has the maximum benefits. In fact, the darker the chocolate read, the higher the cocoa content, the better it is,8217;8217; says Delhi-based nutritionist
Dr Shikha Sharma.

		CHEW ON THIS

			8226; A square or two of dark chocolate a day is advisable for a healthy heart 8226; For a child, no more than a bar a week 8226; The darker and more bitter the chocolate, the better it is. White chocolates have the least health benefits 8226; Chocolates made at home with a large quantity of cocoa is a good bet. So is a chocolate dip for fruits 8226; Fruits and nuts in the chocolate actually make it healthier. Another option is chocolate-coated wafer biscuits 8226; Chocolate shakes and chocolate ice-creams do more harm than good, since milk affects the positive properties of cocoa

What are flavonoids?
8216;8216;Flavonoids are powerful antioxidant chemicals derived from a variety of plants,8217;8217; says Sharma. 8216;8216;They decrease harmful oxidation of LDL cholesterol, inhibit aggregation of blood platelets and boost immunity. It also makes for better blood flow through the vessels, which is good for the heart.8217;8217; Flavonoids are also supposed to lower blood pressure and trigger endorphins, the happy hormones.

Ok, what8217;s the safe limit?
8216;8216;Chocolates can be compared to ghee,8217;8217; says Sharma. 8216;8216;A little bit can be beneficial for the body, but overindulgence does more harm than good. Because, like it or not, chocolates also come with a high fat and cholesterol content. A regular bar of chocolate has at least 500-600 calories.8217;8217; So not only will you not be doing your heart a favour, your waistline too will go for a six.

Also, says Sharma, it is important to balance the chocolate with good food. 8216;8216;You can8217;t combine chocolates with junk food and claim its benefits. A square of chocolate will do good only in the context of a proper diet,8217;8217; she says.