Inside Out

You probably think chocolate is bad for you, right? Guess again. Joy Scott reveals the healthy truth about the nation’s favourite sweet.

If you made the terrible mistake of adding ‘stop eating chocolate’ to your New Year’s resolutions, you are probably beginning to feel the pressure. You might have already caved in and be hiding a giant bar of Dairy Milk under the bed. And in the car. And the desk. It may feel like a guilty pleasure but you should stand tall and eat your chocolate with pride, because it’s actually very good for you. Grab a steaming cup of hot cocoa and read on…

Heart Felt
A buzzword in modern times and a staple in super food diets and skincare regimes alike, antioxidants have the power to neutralise harmful free radicals. Chocolate contains up to 3 times as many anti-oxidants as green tea, lowering the risk of heart disease, lung and prostate cancer and type 2 diabetes. The catechins and phenols present within cocoa are thought to attack the free radicals that damage cells and DNA, rendering them harmless. It has also been suggested that these antioxidants prevent fatty substances in the bloodstream clogging up arteries, so you needn’t feel pangs of guilt when you tuck into the chocolate box. It may also be that chocolate is good for your heart in more ways than one. As well as warding off heart disease, chocolate has been found to act as an aphrodisiac. The amino acid, phenylethylamine, found within the tasty treat is said to increase feelings of love. What better reason is there to expect chocolates on Valentines Day?

Get Happy
Ladies, do you ever wonder why you suffer from premenstrual chocolate cravings? It’s not just because you’re feeling down in the dumps and need cheering up. You’re suffering from a loss of magnesium, and which scrummy, sweet snack is rich in the mineral? Yup, you guessed it, chocolate.

Afflicted with PMS or not, chocolate can do wonders for emotional health. By mimicking the effects that marijuana has on the brain the delectable delicacy makes us feel more relaxed.