SPONSORED BY:  The International Institute for Health and Wellness, Inc, of Orem, Utah
An affiliated institution with Rio Verde University Graduate School

Part II CHOCOLATE Part of a healthy diet?
by Lorie Parch

While chocolate will never attain health-food status, it does have its place. "Two Dove Dark Promises contain enough flavanols to provide health benefits," says Hannum. "There's no need to feel guilty about eating it because these are not empty calories." 

Some experts are quick to dismiss the dark stuff as simply high in calories and saturated fat. But that's not the whole picture. Chocolate contains three types of fatty acids, in roughly equal proportions: stearic, palmitic and oleic.

"Palmitic is a saturated fat that would raise your cholesterol, while oleic acid is unsaturated and will actually lower your cholesterol. Stearic acid has no effect on cholesterol," explains Hannum. "The overall effect of the fats in chocolate has been shown to be neutral."

Chocolate also contains essential minerals, including magnesium, copper, potassium and (in milk chocolate) calcium, says Hershey's Moritz. As far as calories go, it is crucial to pay attention to how much chocolate you're eating. One regular-size pack of plain M&Ms clocks in at 240 calories, and nine Hershey's Kisses will do about the same damage. A bar of Hershey's Special Dark Chocolate will set you back 220 calories, but at least you can say that those aren't empty calories; in fact, your heart may even thank you for indulging. But if you want even more flavanols, turn your grocery cart. into the produce section, not down the candy aisle, recommends Moore. "We can certainly eat a little bit of dark chocolate, but these types of plant-based chemicals are readily found in a variety of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, which have been shown to reduce our risk for cancer and diabetes as well as heart disease."
 

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