There is a lot of buzz these days about the health benefits of dark chocolate. Dark chocolate contains flavonoids which are antioxidants. These nutrients have been shown through research to lower blood pressure when it rises above normal levels. The lighter chocolate, or milk chocolate, which is more commonly found, does not contain flavonoids in significant amounts. One reason for this is the fact that flavonoids are produced by plants, while the milk in milk chocolate dilutes the antioxidants.
High blood pressure is one of the components of the metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that includes high blood pressure, increased abdominal circumference, lipid abnormalities, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes. In metabolic syndrome, high blood pressure and diabetes are linked by association. If a person has two of the metabolic syndrome components listed above, he is considered to have metabolic syndrome.
When it comes to dark chocolate, flavonoids are good for our health. Flavonoids are antioxidants that act as buffers against the toxic byproducts of cellular metabolism. We never outgrow our need for antioxidants. Many people are deficient in antioxidants and take supplements in addition to watching their diet.
A recent study showed that the concentration of flavonoid antioxidants in dark chocolate is very high, with antioxidant levels higher than those in dried fruit when compared on a per serving basis.
The researchers reported that the flavonoids found in Hershey’s Kisses were also highly concentrated. This raised the question. How many calories in a Hershey kiss? One Kiss weighs 1/60th of an ounce. Also, a single kiss contains 2 and 1/3 calories. The researchers reported that a single kiss of Hershey’s a day would be enough to provide the necessary amount of flavonoids.
This are very good news. We have an antioxidant whose health benefits are supported by clinical research. Not only that, but the dark chocolate in a Hershey’s Kiss is packed with flavonoids to the extent that just one Kiss a day is enough. With this small amount of dark chocolate comes very little sugar. Hershey’s Kisses are flavonoid pills or so it seems. By the way, if you would like to enjoy more than one Hershey’s Kiss, 9 Kisses is considered one serving or one serving.
Do you sometimes find yourself drawn to sweets at the end of a meal? Every now and then do you want something sweet for a snack before bed? How about one or more Hershey kisses to qualify? By doing so, you’ll allow yourself the pleasure of the moment while ingesting a proven powerful antioxidant. The amount of sugar will be small. Consider the Hershey Kiss.