We do all love chocolate. In this day of saturated versus unsaturated fats and monitoring cholesterol levels, chocolate candy has taken a bad wrap. A little research into the notional value of chocolate brings some revelations over which candy lovers everywhere can rejoice – chocolate can be good for us.

In a 2006 study titled “Chocolate Milk as a Post-Exercise Recovery Aid,” by Jason R. Karp, et al., published the results of this study suggest that, “chocolate milk, with its high carbohydrate and protein content, may be considered an effective alternative to commercial fluid replacement drinks and carbohydrate replacement drinks for recovery from exhausting, glycogen-depleting exercise.”

Nutritional analysis indicates chocolate milk is just as nutritious as regular milk. Chocolate milk contains about the same amount of sugar as an equal amount of unsweetened fruit juice. In fact, it has only one third more calories than white milk. The difference is equal to the calories in half a banana or pear.

Just like white milk – chocolate milk is healthy for your teeth, since the cocoa, milk fat, calcium and phosphorus in chocolate milk can help to protect against cavities. Chocolate milk hydrates your body and quenches your thirst because milk is 87 per cent water. After physical activity chocolate milk helps to replenish your body’s energy stores, and build and repair muscle. One cup of chocolate milk contains about the same amount of caffeine as decaffeinated coffee.

Chocolate candy does not raise the bad cholesterol (LDL) as other saturated fats do. It also contains antioxidants, the same types of antioxidants found in a glass of red wine. Antioxidants improve & strengthen your immune system. They are thought to help prevent stroke, heart disease and cancer. And if that wasn’t enough many more health benefits are contributed to antioxidants including slowing the aging process & the visible signs of aging. The darker and more pure forms of chocolate contain the most antioxidants.

Chocolate candy does not contain as much caffeine as you might think either. An average serving of chocolate candy has far less caffeine than a cup of coffee. Chocolate is a rich source of phosphorus and magnesium too. The benefits of each are well documented. Magnesium helps to maintain muscle and nerve function, is good for strong bones, and supports a healthy immune system and more. Phosphorus is important for bone and teeth formation in children and for works with calcium to keep bones strong and healthy for us throughout our lives. Some ingredients in chocolate can even trigger happy feelings in our brain.

Some benefit of chocolate are :

*Chocolate contains phenyl ethylamine, a mild mood elevator.
* Drinking a cup of hot chocolate before meals may actually diminish appetite..
* Chocolate increases antioxidant levels in the blood.
* Mexican healers use chocolate to treat bronchitis and insect bites.
* The carbohydrates in chocolate raise serotonin levels in the brain, resulting in a sense of well-being.

There are some harm too. Some people may view the sugar content of chocolate milk too high for consumption and may be a contributing factor for weight gain. Other children cannot drink milk because they are allergic to milk, while children with Type I diabetes are required to follow a specific diet. Chocolate may trigger headaches in migraine sufferers. Milk chocolate is high in calories, saturated fat and sugar. Cacao, the source of chocolate, contains antibacterial agents that fight tooth decay but even than it is not good for teeth because of its high sugar content.