Health benefits of chocolate
(Synergy Chocolate)

Your body

An ancient health secret

Everywhere you turn today, you see good news about the health benefits of chocolate. But people have been using (and enjoying!) chocolate for centuries.

Both raw and processed chocolate comes from the seed of the tropical Theobroma cacao tree and cacao has been cultivated since at least 1,100 BC in Mexico, Central and South America. The ancient peoples used cacao as a food, a medicine, in ceremonial rituals, and -- perhaps their favorite -- in a beverage called xocol\0x0101tl by the Aztecs. The cacao bean was so highly prized that it was even used as a form of currency and to pay taxes.

Ancient people didn't use cacao only as a pleasant way to finish off a meal. An article in the medical journal Molecular Nutrition & Food Research noted: "From Mesoamerican Codices and European Treatises scholars have determined that for hundreds of years the beverage called chocolate was administered to the sick and prescribed homeopathically to prevent illness\0x2026 Indeed, there is a significant amount of literature to suggest that chocolate was used for wellness and to treat illness." (Volume 52, Issue 10, pages 1215\0x20131227, October 2008)

By the 16th century, when it was introduced to Europe by Spanish explorers, the medicinal uses of cacao were being better understood. From that period to the 20th century, chocolate was popular first as a "medicine" and as a confectionary (although for that use, it was sweetened and so highly processed it lost most of its health advantages.)

Scientific proof

Yet, it wasn't until recent years that modern science developed the tools to analyze the chemical components of cacao and chocolate, and identify precisely how this superfood worked to optimize physical health and wellness.

Numerous research studies, in just the last couple of decades, have "proven" what people have known for centuries: cacao is a "superfood" that can have incredibly positive effects on your body.

Here are a few PROVEN ways cacao may help enhance physical health and wellness:

• Prevent or reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (heart attacks, strokes) by helping blood vessels function better and repair damaged blood vessels
• Lower "bad" cholesterol levels (and raise the good cholesterol levels)
• Lower high blood pressure by causing your blood vessels to release nitric oxide, which in turn relaxes them
• Promote proper circulation and arterial health
• Regulate blood sugar and improve insulin sensitivity, which reduces and prevents diabetes
• Reduce dental cavities and periodontal disease
• Decrease inflammation and the pain associated with arthritis, fibromyalgia, or similar inflammatory disease
• Reduce the effects of physical stress, including weakening of the immune system
• Boost energy and feeling of wellbeing (essential for good physical health!)
• Improve the appearance of skin through its hydrating actions
• Protect against the sun's ultraviolet rays
• Reduce cancer risks by helping combat cell damage that can lead to tumor growth
• Actually INCREASE your life span

How it works

How can the insides of a rather odd-looking "bean" be so good for you? That's another thing scientists have been investigating for the past few years. They've been able to break down the cacao into more than 300 different chemicals.

Among the most important are polyphenolic compounds, which act as antioxidants. Cacao is extremely rich in the polyphenolic compounds known as flavonoids.

Even when they're still in the plant, flavonoids are amazing since they actually help protect plants from toxins in the environment and repair cellular damage. When we consume these compounds, they appear to do the same for us. They literally aid our cells to resist damage caused by everything from the free radicals our body routinely produces to outside toxins like pollutants in the air.

In our RESEARCH section, we'll list dozens of scientific and medical studies concerning the benefits of pholyphenolic compounds, including flavonoids. They all confirm what wellness experts agree on: they're absolutely essential for good health!

Ray Sahelian, MD, the bestselling author of "Mind Boosters," and other books that have sold more than a million copies, sums it up when he says:

"I believe enough research on polyphenols has been accumulated to begin taking advantage of these fascinating compounds in clinical use. A number of medical conditions could be prevented or improved with the use of polyphenols. These include circulatory disorders such as hypertension and coronary artery disease, lung disorders such as asthma, cancers of various types, inflammatory conditions, certain liver conditions, diabetes, mood disorders, eye disorders such as cataracts, weak eyesight due to aging, and macular degeneration. We should consider polyphenols as compounds necessary for the various organs and tissues, and part of the countless substances necessary for proper functioning of this amazing organism we call the human body."

Cacao would be worth eating just for the flavonoids, but it turns out that there are a lot of other healthy things going on with chocolate.

For instance, chocolate also has:

Phenylethylamine

Scientists have found evidence that phenylethylamine acts something like amphetamine to raise dopamine and noreprinephrine levels. In plain English, it's known as the "love drug" because it stimulates the pleasure centers in the brain. Because phenylethylamine is metabolized very quickly in the body, the effect is short-lived ... but can have a lasting impact on our mood and physical health!

Tryptophan

is an essential amino acid but since our bodies can't synthesize it, we have to make it part of our diet. It can increase brain levels of serotonin and melatonin, both of which have a calming effect to reduce stress and induce peaceful sleep.

Magnesium

Cacao has the highest level of magnesium of all foods, which is a tremendous health benefit because this powerful mineral is essential to all living cells. According to the US National Institutes of Health: "Magnesium is needed for more than 300 biochemical reactions in the body. It helps maintain normal muscle and nerve function, keeps heart rhythm steady, supports a healthy immune system, and keeps bones strong. Magnesium also helps regulate blood sugar levels, promotes normal blood pressure, and is known to be involved in energy metabolism and protein synthesis. There is an increased interest in the role of magnesium in preventing and managing disorders such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes."

Arginine

Another important amino acid, arginine is required for the body's production of nitric oxide, which causes blood vessels to dilate to regulate blood flow, inflammation and blood pressure. It's been linked to enhanced immunity, accelerated healing from injury, reduction of atherosclerosis inflammation, neutralization of ammonia to treat liver disorders, and many other benefits.

Theobromine

Used for more than a century to treat circulatory problems including arteriosclerosis, certain vascular diseases, angina pectoris, and hypertension, this alkaloid of the cacao plant is used as a vasodilator (a blood vessel widener), a diuretic and heart stimulant. A group of chemists have even patented a theobromine supplement for future use as a cancer fighter. Keep in mind that we're NOT talking about the candy bars or milk chocolate you find in the grocery story, or even "dark chocolate" products (they're a step in the right direction, but still too sweetened and highly processed to be considered a real Superfood!).

Synergy Chocolate has been harvested and prepared especially as a healthy addition to your diet, one that delivers the highest level possible of all the beneficial ingredients of cacao. Yes, it tastes fantastic, but that's just the added bonus ... the true gift of Synergy Chocolate is a healthier body!

Your mind

As incredible as it seems, there's evidence that chocolate can actually make you smarter (or, as scientists like to say, improve your cognitive performance). Again, we have to thank the hefty amount of flavonoids in cacao for this benefit.

In one study, more than 2,000 people were tested and those who were given a daily dose of flavonoid-rich chocolate, tea or wine got significantly better scores when tested for cognitive functioning.

Another study, presented at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), used magnetic resonance imaging to monitor activity in specific areas of the brain. After drinking a specially formulated flavanoid-rich cacao beverage, researchers noticed there was increased neuro activity. "The demonstration of an effect of consuming this particular beverage on cerebral blood flow raises the possibility that certain food ingredients may be beneficial in increasing brain blood flow and enhancing brain function," stated head researcher Ian Macdonald, professor of metabolic physiology at the University of Nottingham (UK), currently co-director of the university's Institute of Clinical Research and research director for its Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.

Other experts, like John H. Byrne, PhD, professor and chairman of the Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) Medical School, agree. Dr. Byrne, who studies the neuronal and molecular mechanisms underlying learning and memory, explained that diet can have a big impact on our brain health. "There are certain 'brain foods' that seem to have a benefit on the brain. New research shows that Omega-3 fatty acids, such as those found in salmon and other fish, may build the brain\0x2019s gray matter. Foods and beverages that are rich in antioxidants may also help keep the brain sharp. For brain food, consider a glass of red wine, some salmon, blueberries, a little bit of chocolate or a cup of green tea."

If you hate tests, the 2006 research project conducted by Wheeling Jesuit University professor Bryan Raudenbush would have been a nightmare. He had participants complete a variety of computer-based neuropsychological tests assessing word discrimination, verbal memory, design memory, attention span, reaction time, problem solving, and response variability. Those who were given chocolate in some form prior to the testing showed significantly better verbal and visual memory and improved impulse control and reaction time. "These findings provide support for nutrient release via chocolate consumption to enhance cognitive performance," Prof. Raudenbush stated. The impact on mental acuity is so strong the Alzheimer's association has suggested that consuming dark chocolate -- as well as wine and nuts -- can reduce your chances of developing dementia later in life.

The research

• Chocolate and blood pressure
• Cocoa may lower blood pressure
• Antioxidants prevent disease
• Chocolate lowers risk of stroke
• Dark chocolate and cancer prevention
• Chocolate consumption enhances cognitive performance
• Chocolate fights tooth decay
• Chocolate is a powerful antioxidant
• Cocoa intake linked to lower blood pressure, reduced risk of death
• Consumption of small amounts of dark chocolate associated with reduction in blood pressure
• Dark chocolate may guard against brain injury from stroke
• Obesity, abnormal 'reward circuitry' in brain linked by imaging studies
• Chocolate improves rates of survival after heart attack
• Dark chocolate vs. Milk chocolate
• Chocolate acts as cough suppressant

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