aLma: A Sweet Visit

Almost all of us crave for chocolate and shared the same passion of eating. A passion that goes beyond the limit.That we eat chocolates how many times a day except for figure conscious. Chocolate can evoke pleasurable in the essence that you may be hyperactive.

Adults love chocolates as much as young kids do, primarily not just for pleasure alone but for health benefits.

Recent nutritional research has identified many health benefits of chocolate. After reviewing these studies, I came up with the following ten reasons why you need to consume more chocolate.

Remember that most studies are referring to plain cocoa or cacao. It’s best to eat raw chocolate that is not mixed with dairy or artificial sweeteners to get the best health benefit.

1. Reduces high blood pressure – flavonoids in cocoa (procyanids) help balance blood pressure and reduce blood clotting. Researchers from Germany’s University Hospital of Cologne found that cocoa consumption lowered blood pressure by an average of 4.7/2.8 mm Hg.The New York Times reported that dark chocolate is almost as effective at lowering blood pressure as common antihypertensive drugs.

2. Improves blood flow to brain – a University of Nottingham professor found that drinking cocoa drinks rich in flavanols improves blood flow to key areas of the brain for two to three hours. Flavanols in the cocoa drink are a key ingredient of dark chocolate. Professor Macdonald’s study also suggested that cocoa flavanols in chocolate may enhance brain function to help fight sleep deprivation, fatigue, and the effects of ageing.

3. Boosts mood – MSNBC reported that caffeine and other chemicals in dark chocolate can improve your mood and ease premenstrual symptoms. Mark’s Daily Apple wrote that the chemical phenylethylamine in chocolate has been found to trigger feelings similar to “falling in love.”

4. Prevents cell damage and 5. Improves blood sugar levels – Lisa C. Cohn, R.D., President of the Park Avenue Nutrition Spa in NYC, wrote that flavonoids in pure dark chocolate are responsible for these added benefits. Cohn said, “if you’re going to indulge on Feb. 14 or any other day, go for the purest dark chocolate you can find. That’s the kind loaded with flavonoids…”

6. Reduces risk of heart attack – a researcher from the John Hopkins University School of Medicine said that eating a few squares of dark chocolate every day may reduce your risk of dying from a heart attack by almost 50%. The study found that blood platelets clotted slower in people who eat chocolate.

7. Helps ease chronic fatigue syndrome – a study found that adults with chronic fatigue syndrome who eat 1.5 ounces of 85% cocoa dark chocolate were less fatigued after they eat chocolate.

8. Raises HDL cholesterol and lowers LDL cholesterol – a Penn State study found that diets high in cocoa powder and dark chocolate (with high flavonoid content) are related to lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels when compared with diets low in flavonoids such as tea, wine, coffee, and onions. A 2010 study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that consuming cocoa can significantly lower LDL and marginally lower total cholesterol.

9. Improves processing of blood sugar – an Italian study found that dark chocolate consumption increased the body’s metabolism of blood sugar and may reduce the risk of diabetes.

10. Eases a persistent cough – a UK study found that theobromine, a component in cocoa, may be more effective as a cough medicine than standard drug treatments. The research showed that “theobromine acts on the sensory nerve endings of the vagus nerve, which runs through the airways in the lungs to the brain.”

http://www.laurelonhealthfood.com/2007/09/10-reasons-to-eat-more-chocolate/

To satisfy your yearn for chocolates, here are some stores I found on the Metro that may stimulate your sweet buds.

HEAVENLY CHOCOLATE

Unit 1, Roces Center

127 Roces Avenue, Quezon City

Telephone: +632 666-2208
Mobile: +65 9743-9375 and +63915-788-2105

Amaretto

Creamy Amaretto liqueur gives this truffle a nut-like taste.

Toffees

Walnuts mixed into a creamy toffee, cooled and then coated in dark chocolate make this treat a palate pleaser.

Sour Cream Chocolate Cake

Chocolate Decadence

Espresso Chocolate Brownies

Montezuma Chocolate Pasta

CHOCOLATE ON FIRE

G/F PDCP Building Leviste Street corner Rufino Street, Salcedo Village
Makati City

Tel:840-3473

Business Hours: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Price Range per Person: Php 201 – Php 500

Hot Chocolate

Chocolate Fundue

Truffles

milieu of choices

Drizzled Marshmallow Sticks either in mil, dark or white chocolate

Dipped Pretzels

Bubble Kiss in Solid Belgian

Chocolate Coffee Stirrer in dark, white and milk belgian

Dipped Pringles

Banana Cake Blobs

MAITRE CHOCOLATE

2A, No. 28, Jupiter corner Astra Street,
Bel Air, Makati City, Metro Manila
Tel: (02) 8978559 / 8962529 /
(+63) 9228854107
email: mchocolatier.manila@gmail.com

Opening Hours:
Mondays to Thursdays
10AM to 11PM

Fridays to Saturdays
10AM to 2AM

Sunday off