I know you wonder at some point what you can do about holiday indulging. I do too! I certainly enjoy my share of sweet treats this time of year. Sometimes, with even a hint of guilt afterward!
You know that “morning after” feeling (not that morning after feeling, the other one!)... Lying there in bed wondering why you ate a second slab of Aunt Ida’s fruitcake, wondering how you’ll fit into that festive frock for the next party.
Work with me here, fellas. Even if you’re not wearing a festive frock, you know what I mean. You don’t exactly want to let that belt out a notch during this “Season of Eats” either!
It’s enough to stress a girl (or guy) out, and that’s before you consider all the other seasonal stressors we face.
But what if indulging in a favorite treat could actually reduce stress AND be healthy? Chocolate lovers, I have great news. It's almost as good as a visit from jolly old St. Nick...
You know that “morning after” feeling (not that morning after feeling, the other one!)... Lying there in bed wondering why you ate a second slab of Aunt Ida’s fruitcake, wondering how you’ll fit into that festive frock for the next party.
Work with me here, fellas. Even if you’re not wearing a festive frock, you know what I mean. You don’t exactly want to let that belt out a notch during this “Season of Eats” either!
It’s enough to stress a girl (or guy) out, and that’s before you consider all the other seasonal stressors we face.
But what if indulging in a favorite treat could actually reduce stress AND be healthy? Chocolate lovers, I have great news. It's almost as good as a visit from jolly old St. Nick...
Dark Chocolate Revs Up Metabolism and
Reduces Stress!
Reduces Stress!
How’s that for terrific news?!
If you’re a chocolate lover like I am, the claim seems too good to be true!
I assure you it's not. Let me show you why as we explore some of the science behind dark chocolate’s health benefits and its ability to reduce stress. Then we'll nosh on our certified gluten free chocolate bars!
If you’re a chocolate lover like I am, the claim seems too good to be true!
I assure you it's not. Let me show you why as we explore some of the science behind dark chocolate’s health benefits and its ability to reduce stress. Then we'll nosh on our certified gluten free chocolate bars!
The Junk Food to Health Food Transformation!
You may have heard the various health benefits chocolate has. They range from lowering blood pressure to reducing the risk of heart disease. Over the last decade, such claims catapulted dark chocolate from junk food to health food status.
These tasty tidbits are true! Here are the basics on why...
Dark chocolate is loaded with polyphenols, antioxidant compounds found in plants like cocoa beans used to make chocolate. We’ve talked about antioxidants before, how they occur naturally in fruits and vegetables, and how they help prevent or reverse damage to our cells caused by free radicals (tissue-damaging and aging molecules). In other words, they can help prevent disease!
Dark chocolate contains a specific group of antioxidant polyphenols, called flavonoids. Flavonoids are special because they have high bioavailability. That simply means it is easy for our bodies to absorb them, and in turn, reap their benefits. Some other flavonoid-rich foods are cranberries, apples, tea, and red wine.
These tasty tidbits are true! Here are the basics on why...
Dark chocolate is loaded with polyphenols, antioxidant compounds found in plants like cocoa beans used to make chocolate. We’ve talked about antioxidants before, how they occur naturally in fruits and vegetables, and how they help prevent or reverse damage to our cells caused by free radicals (tissue-damaging and aging molecules). In other words, they can help prevent disease!
Dark chocolate contains a specific group of antioxidant polyphenols, called flavonoids. Flavonoids are special because they have high bioavailability. That simply means it is easy for our bodies to absorb them, and in turn, reap their benefits. Some other flavonoid-rich foods are cranberries, apples, tea, and red wine.
Thanks to this bioavailability, our bodies rapidly absorb flavonoids in dark chocolate. This explains why research studies show a significant (and almost immediate!) increase in blood antioxidant levels after eating this decadent delight.
That's great news because it means we're getting chemical compounds we need to help us fight disease! The chocolate benefits don't stop there. Chocolate can also help reduce stress!
“An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure”
Ben Franklin offered his now-famous quote as fire-fighting advice, but it accurately applies to consuming dark chocolate for stress reduction, too!
Researchers have discovered just over one ounce of dark chocolate eaten daily can, in fact, keep stress to a minimum. This magic amount alters the body’s metabolism enough to significantly reduce stress hormones in the body.
How?
Scientists believe there are two ways chocolate reduces stress.
First, the simple indulgence of consuming chocolate is often associated with positive thoughts and feelings. That alone can be powerful enough to alter body chemistry, improve mood, and lower stress.
Second, those antioxidant compounds mentioned earlier (polyphenols) are responsible for the scrumptious benefit of lowering levels of stress hormones like cortisol and catecholemines (those “fight or flight” chemicals our bodies release when faced with a stressful situation).
It's that simple! Dark chocolate does reduce stress! But before you begin indulging, here’s something to keep in mind...
In our holiday stress-reduction mini-series, we’ve been talking about using the gluten free diet to our advantage.
While dark chocolate is good for you in moderation, be sure to eat plenty of healthy foods to get all the nutrients your body needs during the holidays (and every day!).
Remember all those naturally gluten free orange stress-busting foods and luscious leafy greens we’ve discussed. Along the way, treat yourself to a little stress-reducing dark chocolate, too!
It’s really all about balance.
Researchers have discovered just over one ounce of dark chocolate eaten daily can, in fact, keep stress to a minimum. This magic amount alters the body’s metabolism enough to significantly reduce stress hormones in the body.
How?
Scientists believe there are two ways chocolate reduces stress.
First, the simple indulgence of consuming chocolate is often associated with positive thoughts and feelings. That alone can be powerful enough to alter body chemistry, improve mood, and lower stress.
Second, those antioxidant compounds mentioned earlier (polyphenols) are responsible for the scrumptious benefit of lowering levels of stress hormones like cortisol and catecholemines (those “fight or flight” chemicals our bodies release when faced with a stressful situation).
It's that simple! Dark chocolate does reduce stress! But before you begin indulging, here’s something to keep in mind...
In our holiday stress-reduction mini-series, we’ve been talking about using the gluten free diet to our advantage.
While dark chocolate is good for you in moderation, be sure to eat plenty of healthy foods to get all the nutrients your body needs during the holidays (and every day!).
Remember all those naturally gluten free orange stress-busting foods and luscious leafy greens we’ve discussed. Along the way, treat yourself to a little stress-reducing dark chocolate, too!
It’s really all about balance.
When Selecting Dark Chocolate, Look for...
· Greater than 60% cocoa content (bittersweet, semi-sweet, baking
chocolate, dark chocolate bars)
· Certified gluten free products (Enjoy Life Foods dark chocolate bar, Hain Celestial products, Endangered Species brand are a few)
· Chocolate free from other allergens you may need to avoid (Enjoy
Life is free from the top 8 food allergens)
· Brands that are free from hydrogenated oils
· Organic, Fair Trade chocolate
chocolate, dark chocolate bars)
· Certified gluten free products (Enjoy Life Foods dark chocolate bar, Hain Celestial products, Endangered Species brand are a few)
· Chocolate free from other allergens you may need to avoid (Enjoy
Life is free from the top 8 food allergens)
· Brands that are free from hydrogenated oils
· Organic, Fair Trade chocolate
Now for the Not-So-Fine Print
· These health benefits apply only to dark chocolate. Milk chocolate
(or any dairy product) reverses the benefits of dark chocolate
when eaten together.
· European dark chocolates are higher in cocoa polyphenols (those
helpful antioxidants) than those manufactured in the U.S.
· Keep calories in check by swapping chocolate calories for other
calories in your diet to keep from packing on the pounds.
· Don’t substitute chocolate – even healthier dark chocolate – for other nutritious foods like fruits and veggies, which also offer loads of health benefits, including stress reduction.
And now...
(or any dairy product) reverses the benefits of dark chocolate
when eaten together.
· European dark chocolates are higher in cocoa polyphenols (those
helpful antioxidants) than those manufactured in the U.S.
· Keep calories in check by swapping chocolate calories for other
calories in your diet to keep from packing on the pounds.
· Don’t substitute chocolate – even healthier dark chocolate – for other nutritious foods like fruits and veggies, which also offer loads of health benefits, including stress reduction.
And now...
This Week’s Trivia Question... Answered!
The Question: If you really want to reduce stress, to which particular food should you consider devoting 200 calories of your daily calorie intake?
The Answer: Dark chocolate, of course! Why 200 calories? That’s the approximate number of calories in just over 1 ounce of dark chocolate, the amount researchers found to have stress-relieving effects in our bodies.
The Answer: Dark chocolate, of course! Why 200 calories? That’s the approximate number of calories in just over 1 ounce of dark chocolate, the amount researchers found to have stress-relieving effects in our bodies.
~g~
I firmly believe we can heal our bodies through diet.
Reducing stress and its negative effect on our bodies is no different. Certain foods, like this week’s featured dark chocolate, contains nutrients that can actually reduce stress on a biochemical level! In small amounts, dark chocolate can be a tasty, gluten free way to keep stress levels low during this busy time of year!
Check out more of my gluten free recipes to see how tasty living gluten free can be!
To receive every new gluten free recipe right in your inbox each week along with my latest “A Side of Science” articles and upcoming special holiday posts, be sure to SIGN UP for my FREE E-LETTER!
Reducing stress and its negative effect on our bodies is no different. Certain foods, like this week’s featured dark chocolate, contains nutrients that can actually reduce stress on a biochemical level! In small amounts, dark chocolate can be a tasty, gluten free way to keep stress levels low during this busy time of year!
Check out more of my gluten free recipes to see how tasty living gluten free can be!
To receive every new gluten free recipe right in your inbox each week along with my latest “A Side of Science” articles and upcoming special holiday posts, be sure to SIGN UP for my FREE E-LETTER!
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Up Next on GlutenFreeGigi.com...
~~~ Something special for the holidays! ~~~
~~~ Something special for the holidays! ~~~
SUNDAY, I have something special for you! With Christmas so near, I’m posting some of my merriest gluten free goodies just for you each week throughout December and into the New Year!
So far, I’ve treated you to “Butter Cups” and “Christmas Stars”...
So far, I’ve treated you to “Butter Cups” and “Christmas Stars”...
Next, I have a kid-friendly piece of edible artwork you’ll definitely want to see and make! Don’t miss it!
~g~
Thank you for taking time to visit!
Remember, my mission here at GlutenFreeGigi.com is to share my experience and knowledge to help you navigate your gluten free life with ease and confidence!
Come back often for the most recent gluten free recipes and information each Tuesday and Thursday.
I’m glad we’re sharing the journey!
xo,
Gluten Free Gigi
Remember, my mission here at GlutenFreeGigi.com is to share my experience and knowledge to help you navigate your gluten free life with ease and confidence!
Come back often for the most recent gluten free recipes and information each Tuesday and Thursday.
I’m glad we’re sharing the journey!
xo,
Gluten Free Gigi
Don’t take my word for it... Check my sources!
Martin et al. (2009). Metabolic Effects of Dark Chocolate Consumption on Energy, Gut Microbiota, and Stress-Related Metabolism in Free-Living Subjects. Journal of Proteome Research.
Engler, MB, et al. (2004). Flavonoid-rich dark chocolate improves endothelial function and increases plasma epicatechin concentrations in healthy adults. Journal of the American College of Nutrition. Jun;23(3):197-204.
Kochhar, S. (2009). Dark Chocolate May Improve the Metabolic Response to Stress, Journal of Proteome Research.
Engler, MB, et al. (2004). Flavonoid-rich dark chocolate improves endothelial function and increases plasma epicatechin concentrations in healthy adults. Journal of the American College of Nutrition. Jun;23(3):197-204.
Kochhar, S. (2009). Dark Chocolate May Improve the Metabolic Response to Stress, Journal of Proteome Research.
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