Chocolate and how it affects the Human Brain
Why is chocolate the dessert of choice around the world? Chocolate has certain qualities that make it a great option to help with a daily motivational boost. Our focus here at Santa Barbara Chocolate is to ensure quality chocolate with clean ingredients like what you will find in our dark chocolate.
If you want the perfect remedy to kick back the mood and enhance happiness, then one thing’s for sure, you need chocolate. All chocolates aren’t the same and neither are the ingredients.
Santa Barbara Chocolate is globally accepted and surpasses all tests for safety on an international level by national health agencies. We ensure it is as real chocolate can be with no added fillers like palm oil or preservatives.
Eight Natural Compounds Chocolate Contains
Flavonoids
Flavonoids are a group of compounds that make a class of antioxidants. Chocolate contains a specific flavonoid antioxidant called Catechin which is found in all chocolate types but is more concentrated in pure dark chocolates.
Dark chocolate 100% contains an amount of Catechin almost four times greater than any other normal chocolate does. Flavonoids are essential trigger elements for the body and help reduce oxidative stress and cell degeneration. Eating chocolate can help maximize the number of flavonoids in a daily diet and will likely reduce cell degeneration. The result means smoother and healthier looking skin and overall improvement in skin elasticity.
Theobromine
Theobromine is an active ingredient in chocolate. Theobromine is a bitter alkaloid found in cocoa and chocolate. Theobromine is considered to have a similar influence on the human nervous system as caffeine, but the stimulant level is drastically lower than that of caffeine.
Theobromine acts as a diuretic. It is a stimulant that helps open up blood vessels. It may result in minimizing blood pressure and help battle against edema, angina and other diseases. In some studies it has been shown that theobromine hardens tooth enamel and helps fight tooth decay.
Anandamide
Chocolate contains andamide with dark chocolate having the highest dose. The literal meaning of the word Anandamide is from the Sanskrit word, Ananda which means “joy, bliss or happiness.” This is because anandamide is a neurotransmitter that helps with feelings of happiness.
Anandamide has shown to have numerous health benefits and seems to help patients fight against anxiety and stress. Anandamide may assist in minimizing breast cancers, but this is on going research still.
Polyphenols
Polyphenols found in dark chocolate can help fight cardiovascular disease. Polyphenols in certain foods help with diabetes management through blood sugar balance. Keto diet followers and diabetics often have dark chocolate in their daily diet.
Caffeine
Caffeine is a stimulant. The amount of caffeine in chocolate is far less than what you will find in black tea or coffee.
According to medical research, Caffeine can decrease the risk of cerebral palsy as well as reduce cognitive issues. Caffeine is also used for treating apnea and hypotension in some instances.
Phenethylamine
Phenethylamine is the precursor of Dopamine the feel good hormone, and it is found naturally in chocolate. Phenethylamine affects the brain through neurotransmitters in the central nervous system.
Santa Barbara Chocolate is Safe for Professional Athletes
Please see our statement for the NFL: https://www.santabarbarachocolate.com/absence-of-prohibited-substances-in-chocolate-and-cocoa-powder-statement/
Chocolate Health
Choose the right chocolate for your health. Consider the darkest Cacao Chocolate or sugar free chocolate chips as a healthy chocolate diet option that is sugar free.
We do our best to make sure that all of our chocolate chips are manufactured to the pinnacle of quality, packing the most healthful benefits for you.
https://www.santabarbarachocolate.com/chocolatier-jason-vishnefske/