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The Health Benefits Of Chocolate

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The Health Benefits of Chocolate Chocolate is a favorite treat that has a long history and sometimes is a guilty pleasure. There is, however, ongoing research that aims at establishing the possible health benefits that can be associated with chocolate. Although there is no familiar advice from a doctor that says “Eat two chocolates and call me in the morning,” studies have shown health benefits that can be attributed to the antioxidants in chocolate. The main antioxidants in chocolate are the compounds called polyphenol flavonoids.
Polyphenols fall in the family of chemical compounds that are derived from plants and have a carbon ring structure. They fall within this class and can be found in high concentrations in cocoa and other dark colored fruits and vegetables. “Polyphenols are distributed widely among our diets and some of the richest sources of the antioxidants are astringent and bitter foods like cocoa,” which is used in the manufacture of chocolate, blueberries and grape juice (Benson 46). The focus of this paper will be the health benefits that are related to chocolate and its main antioxidant component, polyphenol.
The most evident benefit that can be associated with polyphenol flavonoids is their heart benefits. Human and animal studies that have been done regarding the benefits of chocolate conclude that compounds ingested into the body are absorbed into the tissues and the blood stream and enhance the flow of blood. This benefit counteracts

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