Exotic Chocolate Tasting » Benefits of Eating Chocolate

What Are The Health Benefits Of Dark Cooking Chocolate?

Roxanne Browning — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 18:38:59 +0000

Also, could you make chocolate out of coffee beans?
I mean, both cocoa and coffee beans have a very bitter taste and their shapes are similar.

Dark chocolate has far more antioxidants than milk or white chocolate. It is good for the heart since it lowers the blood pressure and it lowers the cholesterol level. It has serotonin which acts as anti-depressant. It also stimulates endorphin production which gives the feeling of happiness.

Exotic Chocolate Tasting is on the air!

Roxanne Browning — Sun, 24 Oct 2010 20:33:59 +0000

Reservations now taken for the Chocolate Covered Wine Dinner at A Mano Osteria & Wine Bar on Long Islands East End, November 28 at 5 pm www.amanorestaurant.com

Interview with Roxanne on Chef Extraordinaire Tom Schaudel radio talk show aired Sept. 25 WHLI 1100 AM Tom Schaudel, owner of famed restaurants Cool Fish and A Mano; the author of Playing with Fire and host of his radio show of the same name. Tom, along with his co-host, Malibu Sue, talk chocolate, wine and even pair wines with artisan chocolates on the air! Passionate foodies salivate over his show and I was honored to be his guest. Listen on the WHLI website (click on Sept. 25) or click on the podcast link below.

PODCAST: “Playing with Fire” http://podcast.whli.com/whli/2605484.mp3

What are the best ways to eat chocolates without gaining weight?

Roxanne Browning — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 09:35:02 +0000

Pure dark chocolate is very filling and rich with antioxidants and the good fat-MUFA’s. By eating a square or two from a bar after lunch and dinner will keep you from reaching for the Tweekies and will aid in weight loss.

Yahoo Answers-Has Green and Black’s chocolate stopped being fair trade?

Roxanne Browning — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 18:32:59 +0000

I may be wrong, but in the early days I thought that all Green and Black’s chocolate was fair trade as well as organic. Now just Maya Gold is fair trade. Has this changed since the company was taken over by Cadbury Schweppes or am I mistaken?

As noted in their press release in 2005, only the Maya gold brand was eligible for the fair trade emblem.

They have stated in the past that “some” fair trade cocoa is used in their other brands.

Don C

What are the health benefits of eating dark chocolate?

Roxanne Browning — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 20:44:04 +0000

Yahoo Answers…What are some weird effects, if any, that dark chocolate has as oppose to milk chocolate.

Hi Waltb87,

There are numerous health benefits for eating dark chocolate, as apposed to milk chocolate,

Firstly, it has shown to reduce blood pressure.

Secondly, dark chocolate is very high in flavonol antioxidants.

Thirdly, eating dark chocolate releases endorphins, which is a “pleasure hormone”. This is mostly to do with the endorphins that are released, but you can think of some very romantic ways to eat it. 65% coca is my favorite, melted and poured on top of fresh strawberries.

What are the best and healthiest chocolates?

Roxanne Browning — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 02:20:11 +0000

Yahoo Answers

Are there chocolates that help to prevent certain diseases? Or which chocolates have the least sugar content?

Benefits of Eating Chocolate

Chocolate has exceptional nutritional qualities, being a high energy food in a small volume. It does not only contain carbohydrates, fats, and vegetable proteins, but also has large quantities of potassium and magnesium, some calcium and sodium, and vitamins A1, B1, B2, D, and E.

Chocolate contains a number of other substances in small, but effective, quantities:

Theobromine, which stimulates the central nervous system, facilitates muscular exertion, acts as a diuretic and appetite stimulant.

Caffeine, which increases resistance to fatigue, intellectual activity, and watchfulness. An average size chocolate bar contains approximately 6 mg of caffeine, compared to 100-150 mg in a cup of coffee.

Phenylethylamine, which is the chemical released in our bodies when we fall in love and is chemically similar to amphetamines, therefore acting as a psycho-stimulant.

Tryptophan, an essential amino acid that increases the production of serotonin, an anti-depressant and natural stress-reducer. In fact, a decrease in serotonin levels in the brain may trigger cravings for starches, sweet foods and chocolate.

Endorphins, natural opiates that are released by the brain in increased amounts when eating chocolate, thereby elevating one’s mood and reducing pain.

Phenols, which are also found in red wine, tea, fruits and vegetables, and may help reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.

Catechins, which are antioxidants that may help protect the body against cardiovascular disease and possibly cancer, are found in substantially higher quantities in chocolate than in black tea.

Anandamide, which mimics the effects of marijuana by acting on the same brain receptors, resulting in a very mild “high”. Plus, chocolate has two ingredients that inhibit the natural breakdown of anandamide and hence may prolong the feeling of well-being.