PRESCRIPTIONS
Chocolate actually can be good for your heart — in moderation
By Amy Tousman
Q. My boyfriend gave me chocolates for Valentine's Day. I love chocolate, but worry that it may increase my cholesterol.
A. For many of us, eating chocolate is like eating food of the gods. It tastes divine and melts nicely in your mouth. In fact, chocolate melts at body temperature, creating a delicious sensation when you place it on your tongue. For those trying to eat more healthfully, chocolate seems like forbidden food.
Chocolate cravings are also difficult to ignore. According to MayoClinic.com, chocolate is the most craved of all foods. Some 40 percent of women and 15 percent of men report chocolate cravings.
Chocolate desserts are usually loaded with sugar, adding calories, but no nutritional value, but it's not all bad.
Much of the fat in chocolate comes from stearic acid. Although stearic acid is considered to be a saturated fat, it doesn't raise blood cholesterol levels. The fat in chocolate also contains heart-healthy Vitamin E.
Chocolate contains several natural "feel good" stimulants. Two of these stimulants are known to boost alertness and fight fatigue. Chocolate also contains caffeine, but very little.
Chocolate's pleasurable effects may be enhanced by the presence of a "feel good" substance called anandamide. This substance is naturally produced by the brain. Researchers believe chocolate's anandamide may link with the brain's anandamide to create a pleasurable feeling.
The good news is, you don't have to give up chocolate. In moderation, chocolate can actually be good for your heart.
A 1.5 ounce piece of chocolate contains the same amount of a heart-protecting substance called, phenol as a glass of red wine. Phenol may help prevent heart disease by preventing fatty substances in the blood from clogging the arteries.
Substances usually found in black tea called catechins help boost the immune system and prevent heart disease. Dark chocolate contains four times more catechins than black tea.
A study conducted at Pennsylvania State University concluded milk chocolate in very high amounts (10 ounces per day) did not elevate cholesterol levels. So chocolate tastes heavenly and even has some health benefits. But how does this weigh in compared to its fat and calories?
An ounce of chocolate is 150 calories with 64 percent of these calories coming from fat. To prevent chocolate from causing an expanded waistline, learn to control the size of your portions. Enjoy your chocolates by eating them slowly and in small amounts. Savor each bite.
Amy Tousman is a registered dietitian at Straub Clinic & Hospital and a member of the Hawai'i Dietetic Association.
