The Health Benefits of Chocolate

Benefits of Chocolate

Research on chocolate generally points to it having a variety of health benefits. Wait, could it be that chocolate is really a healthy food? Could something so delicious and decadent really promote health instead of detract from it? And, is chocolate really allowed on the Kaufmann 1 Diet?!?

First, we need to know what chocolate is and where it comes from; this will help us decide if and how chocolate fits into the Kaufmann 1 Diet, and if it does, get to the bottom of how to best glean the health benefits inherent in chocolate.

Chocolate is derived from the cacao bean, which grows in many tropical regions of the world. These beans are processed into pure chocolate, which is comprised of both cocoa solids and cocoa butter. Pure chocolate has a naturally bitter taste profile, but is loaded with flavonoids. Now, most of us do not think of chocolate as an inherently bitter food; this is because chocolate in the way we generally consume it is loaded with things you would generally seek to avoid, including sugar and dairy products among other preservatives and chemicals (particularly, if you are eating chocolate candy from a convenience store). Chocolate’s caloric content––which is already naturally high due to the presence of the cocoa butter––is also compounded by the added sugar and dairy fat generally found in the chocolate many people consume.

So, generally when we talk about chocolate containing some health benefits, we are not talking about eating a chocolate candy bar. However, chocolate in a more pure form is known to provide some health benefits. These are products such as pure, unsweetened cocoa powder, cacao nibs, and dark chocolate that either been unsweetened, minimally sweetened or sweetened with stevia, xylitol or other non-sugar sweeteners.

Among those benefits of chocolate are:

Chocolate is thought to promote heart health. Some studies show that eating chocolate can improve blood pressure, lower cholesterol and lower the risk of heart disease.

Chocolate may assist in preventing diabetes. Chocolate was shown in one study to promote insulin sensitivity.

It boost your mood. Anyone who has enjoyed chocolate likely does not need scientific confirmation of this, but regularly eating chocolate has been shown to help boost mood.

Eating chocolate may help prevent a stroke. Chocolate was shown in a Swedish study to reduce the risk of a stroke in women who enjoyed 9 grams or more of chocolate a week.

Chocolate may have benefits for skin. Some of the inherent anti-oxidants may help protect against UV damage on the skin.

So what does this mean for those of us on Kaufmann 1?

It is important to remember that chocolate is derived from a bean, or a legume. This relegates chocolate to something that should likely be enjoyed on the lest restrictive Kaufmann 2 Diet, in moderation. It is also important to remember that sugary foods are still advised against on the Kaufmann 2 diet. This means you should look for chocolate products with no added sugar.

It is important to remember that there are many foods that may contain inherent health benefits, but also contain components you would wish to avoid. Enjoy benefits of chocolate sparingly and smartly on the Kaufmann 2 Diet.

Check out our recipes and our bookstore to find more ways to incorporate chocolate into your Kaufmann 2 Diet.