Topic: Eat Chocolate when stressed. studies prove it works!!!
springshowers
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19863
posted
Feeling stressed? Chocolate can help POSTED BY: Monica Reinagel, M.S., LD/N | February 01, 2010 | 1:09 PM
It's no coincidence that Heart Health Month, Chocolate Lover's Month, and Valentine's Day are all celebrated in February. It gives chocolate makers a great opportunity to remind us that the antioxidants in chocolate are good for hearts and sweethearts.
And the good news on chocolate just keeps piling up. Chocolate can lift your mood and ease emotional stress. Now, research shows that it actually reduces the biochemical impact of stress as well. People who rated themselves as "highly stressed" ate an ounce and a half of dark chocolate every day. After two weeks, researchers found that that the level of stress hormones and other markers of stress in the subjects were reduced.
Posts: 2747 | From Unites States Of America | Registered: Apr 2009
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posted
I recently read where Chocolate is a natural source of magnesium. Maybe that's why it helps the stress. It's sure some good tasting "medicine"! 8-)
Posts: 67 | From Alabama | Registered: Feb 2010
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Keebler
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Member # 12673
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- Best to stay with DARK - 85 % or higher, though.
Green & Blacks Organic 85 % Dark is the best I've found. Very creamy texture and decent level of sweetness but still low in sugar.
Some at that number are dry and like chalk. It's a trial and error.
Better yet, a dark cocoa powder mixed in almond milk with a dash of stevia.
Trader Joe's has the best prices of all, though. Just don't be seduced by anything less than an 82-85%. It has to make the mark to have the antioxidants. There is a lot of chocolate that, technically qualifies as dark but is still just candy.
Also be aware that some chocolate contains lead (grown along roads with heavy traffic from vehicles using leaded gasoline). You need to know where your cocoa is grown, how it is processed, how the growers - and all the workers - are treated. It all matters. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
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. . . The Latin Theobroma means "Food of the Gods." Cocoa bean and its derivative, chocolate, can help digestion, increase blood flow to the heart, and ease chest congestion. It is high in antioxidants and happens to taste better than most other herbs. . . .
. . . Cocoa bean and chocolate, like coffee bean and tea leaves all contain xanthines, chemicals that help relax bronchial spasms and can be useful for treating allergies and asthma, especially in emergencies where no other medication is available (reported in Duke, 1997).
The xanthines include coffeine, theobromine and theophylline. People may actually use chocolate instinctively as a form of self-medication for dietary deficiencies, or to increase low levels of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine.
Additionally, many Americans are deficient in magnesium, and chocolate craving may be a sign of magnesium deficiency.
. . . .
- much more at link above.
From the book: ``The One Earth Herbal Sourcebook'' (Tillotson, et.al.) -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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canefan17
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posted
Increases endorphins.
Posts: 5394 | From Houston, Tx | Registered: Aug 2009
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I have to agree with Keebler about the Green & Blacks Organic 85% Dark. Very tasty! Posts: 21 | From York, PA | Registered: Jan 2002
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seekhelp
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Member # 15067
posted
Snickers bar dark chocolate. Canbury Easter eggs, and Reese Pieces - all wonderful sources of chocolate.
Posts: 7545 | From The 5th Dimension - The Twilight Zone | Registered: Mar 2008
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feelfit
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posted
Seek! You are feeling better, I can tell! That chocolate is working wonders for you!!!!!
sutherngrl
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Member # 16270
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"Eat chocolate when stressed".....does that mean I can eat it all day long???
But seriously, its gotta be better than taking 4mg of Xanax a day.
Posts: 4035 | From Mississippi | Registered: Jul 2008
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- One to two ounces a day. One ounce does not sound like a lot but it really can go a long way, especially if mixed with almonds, etc.
At the higher numbers like 85 %, that is all you will want. It takes some adjustment but it will become enjoyable even at an 87 % and one ounce will be very satisfying - and not drop you like a hot boulder an hour later. The effects last for hours, so not too late in the day, eh?
Also, with the cocoa powder and stevia, one can get benefits with ZERO added sugars. I love it with soy milk (although some can't or choose not to "do" soy for various reasons).
Mix cocoa powder with a dash of stevia, some nut oil, some nut meal and roll into a balls. Have a ball !
If a feeling of being too stimulated occurs, it may be best to avoid this as it can be too stimulating for those with severe adrenal fatigue. Dr. B stresses no stimulants and no caffeine. Cocoa is both. So . . . easy does it. After a meal, with nuts . . . helps in many ways. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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I buy this big bar of 99% cacao from Scharffen Berger.
I will shave of one ounce if making one for myself, two if the finace is involved.
I let the shavings melt in the bottom of a saucepan, very gentle, and slowly add in enough coconut milk and almond milk to make two cups of cocoa. I let it all heat up until the chocolate is well incorporated and add in a packet of stevia.
Soooooo gooood. Who the heck needs coffee?! heh...
Posts: 594 | From NJ/NY | Registered: Jun 2006
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posted
Green and Black's is my favorite too. I just ate a few squares of one a little while ago. Yum.
Posts: 423 | From Upstate NY | Registered: May 2009
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