The Wonderful Truth about Chocolate

Most of the posts in this blog have been about terrible crimes, hoaxes and similar serious ways that people have been deceived.  This month, lets have a little fun with a lighter topic. I would like to clear up some misconceptions and myths about chocolate, a food that is often maligned.  Here is the wonderful truth about one of my favorite treats:

Chocolate Does Not Cause Pimples

Even decades ago, when I was a teenager, I was told not to eat chocolate because it would cause me to get acne.  However, according to the website "Mythbusters," a number of studies have proven that chocolate does not cause us to get pimples.  I wish I had know that as a teenager.  At least I would have felt less guilt when I indulged in it!

Chocolate Will Not Cure Cancer ... But It Is Good for the Heart

Although I have never heard the myth that chocolate can cure cancer, apparently it is one that has been going around.  While the cancer myth is not not true, the good news is that chocolate can benefit the heart.  It contains beneficial flavonoids and an ingredient called theobromine.  People who eat chocolate, particularly dark chocolate that contains at least 70% cacao, can slightly reduce their risk of heart disease.  In fact, some researchers recommend that you eat as much as seven ounces, or four dark chocolate candy bars a week, to maximize the benefits. Even if it won't cure cancer, the benefit to our hearts is certainly good news, isn't it?

Chocolate Will Not Keep You Awake at Night

While there is a small amount of caffeine present in chocolate, you would have to consume a great deal of it in order to keep you awake at night.  A normal size cup of hot chocolate or a small piece of dark chocolate should not cause you to have a problem.  If you do have trouble sleeping, skip the chocolate for a few nights to see if that makes a difference.  If not, go ahead and indulge in a bit of it.

Chocolate Does Not Cause Headaches

Many people who get migraine headaches blame chocolate.  However, recent research indicates that chocolate does not contribute to either normal headaches or migraine headaches.  Isn't that good news?

Of course, we are all unique and it is possible that you may have an allergy or that your experience with chocolate may be different from another person's. If you experience any unusual symptoms after eating chocolate, you may want to consult your doctor to make sure that the chocolate did not cause the problem.

For most of us, however, in moderate amounts chocolate is safe and delicious, and may even be beneficial to our health.  What more can we ask of such a delicious treat?

Now that you have all this good news about chocolate, you may want to use this link to order your favorite chocolate candy from Amazon.com.  Eat a few ounces a day, and enjoy it without guilt!

To read more good news about chocolate, you may be interested in one of these articles:

http://www.mythbusters.com/common-myths-about-chocolate.html

http://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/benefits-of-chocolate

You are reading from the blog:  http://lies-and-liars.blogspot.com

Photo of chocolate candy courtesy of www.morguefile.com