Page 76 - Prevention (February 2020)
P. 76
FOOD
Nutrition
The Chocolatey Truth
BY STEPHANIE ANDERSON WITMER
s if the thought of inflammation is linked to
savoring a square (or conditions such as diabetes,
a whole bar) of dark rheumatoid arthritis, meta-
Achocolate wasn’t bolic syndrome, asthma, heart
enticing enough, dark choco- disease, and cancer. “These
late’s health claims are pretty compounds also benefit cardio-
appealing too. We’ve heard vascular health by improving
everything: It lowers blood blood flow, reducing the risk of
pressure, busts stress, improves clotting, and improving blood
cognitive function, protects pressure levels,” says Whitney
your skin, and more. But before Linsenmeyer, Ph.D., R.D., a
you eat your way to the bottom spokesperson for the Academy
of a heart-shaped box, check of Nutrition and Dietetics.
out what experts had to say Cocoa is also rich in iron,
about how healthy this treat zinc, copper, and magnesium,
actually is. all critical minerals needed
for healthy blood, immunity,
SWEET BENEFITS and cell growth.
There’s been lots of research
on dark chocolate, but the HOW TO CHOOSE
hype has outpaced the science. To get more bang in your bar,
Translation: It won’t instantly reach for dark chocolate with
or directly accomplish any of a cocoa percentage of 70% or
the above. What is certain is higher. (More cocoa equals
that cocoa is rich in three types more flavonoids.) Chocolate,
of flavonoids—phytochemicals cocoa, or cacao should appear
in nearly all plant-based foods first on the ingredient list,
that have anti-inflammatory which means there’s the most
and antioxidant powers. This of it by weight. If sugar is first
is important because chronic on the list or you see words
72 PREVENTION.COM • F E B RUARY 2020
