Truth About Chocolate

Hide Video Transcript
Video Transcript
Narrator
A rose by any other name… is still NOT a box of chocolates! Can you imagine anyone not lusting after those luscious bites of silky sweetness? : I probably won't eat them.
: Because I'm on a diet (laugh) according to my wife.
: I really don't like chocolate.
: I don't need the extra calories.
Narrator
It's true -- chocolate has gotten a bad name. It's blamed for acne…yet studies show its had little effect. It's more likely hormones and heredity are the villains in the pimple factor. Some worry that chocolate, like coffee, is high in caffeine. Yet one ounce of milk chocolate has only 7 milligrams of caffeine, while a regular cup of coffee holds between 95 and 140. And what about cavities? While it's true that anything loaded with sugar will create problems if teeth are not properly brushed, the tannins in chocolate may fight the bacteria responsible for tooth decay. But the biggest reason to give your sweetie a heart full of chocolate is that it's good for your heart! Laurence Sperling, MD
There is evidence that a little bit of dark chocolate can have a favorable effect on our blood vessels. It can lower our blood pressure. Narrator
But before you gobble up all those chocolates, remember this: being heart healthy doesn't make chocolate any better for your waistline. That's why you should choose a small piece of dark – not white or milk chocolate – to get the heart healthy benefits of: Increasing your blood flow; Improving your HDL, the "good" cholesterol; Reducing your blood pressure; And increasing antioxidants in your blood. That's because cocoa contains significant amounts of plant flavonoids – the same heart healthy antioxidants found in green tea, red wine, and various veggies and fruits. In fact one study showed a cocoa drink has almost twice the antioxidants as red wine and up to three times the amount found in green tea. So when you take your honey out for that special occasion, why not double your heart health? A bite of dark chocolate with a glass of red wine might be just the thing to make your heart go pitter patter. For WebMD, I'm Sandee LaMotte latest videos on Health & Diet
Taste Test: Meat vs. Plant-Based Substitutes
Historical Advances in Food Technology
Does Fasting Help or Hurt Your Health?
Tips to Ease Into Eating and Exercising in a Healthy Way
Easy Changes To Make To Your Diet - Jan
One-Food Wonder: Apple Cider Vinegar
Video on Natural Appetite Suppressants
The Truth About Apple Cider Vinegar
Video on Best Foods to Fuel Your Brain
Video on Zucchini's Health Benefits
Crack Open the Truth About Soda and Sugary Drinks
The Truth About Intermittent Fasting