Good news, Chocolate Lovers: Chocolate is an antioxidant-rich food that does wonders for your brain health!
The antioxidants penetrate and accumulate in regions of the brain that are involved in learning and memory. Greatest cognitive benefits are related to regular intake - woohoo!
Chocolate with less sugar, otherwise known as dark chocolate, is best. And always remember to read the ingredients to be sure the product's packaging isn't trying to mislead you in any way.
If you don't care much for dark chocolate but are willing to try, start with a lower percentage of cacao, like 60%, and work your way up as high as you like over time.
You might also like pairing dark chocolate with other healthy, complimentary flavors, like nuts and fruits. Not only are these combinations tasty treats, they're extra supportive of your brain's health. Unlike super sweet milk chocolate candy, a piece or two of dark chocolate paired with nuts and fruits won't send your brain's reward center into overdrive. The result is real satisfaction. That means less craving, and less over-eating!
Bonus Tip!
With Valentine's Day approaching, we wanted to share a chocolatey dessert that's easy to prepare, romantic, fun and good for your body and brain! Chocolate fondue is the name of the game! This dessert is feasible even if you don't have a fondue pot.*
Ingredients:
½ cup Dark Chocolate
Assorted Fresh and Dried Fruits for dipping (i.e. strawberries, bananas, clementine segments, coconut, dried apricot, dried cherries)
Instructions:
Light the burner of your fondue pot and place the dark chocolate in the bowl. Occasionally stir the chocolate while it melts - should take only a few minutes. Meanwhile, arrange the fruits on a dish along with forks or skewers.
And don't worry, we won't judge if you choose to include other dippers like graham crackers, pretzels, marshmallows, or cake. We just encourage you to pay attention to how much you're eating, and how you feel. But most importantly, we hope you truly enjoy!!
*No fondue pot? There's a simple solution for that:
In the top of a double boiler, melt the dark chocolate, stirring occasionally. Once the chocolate is completely melted, pour it into a bowl and serve with fruits to dip. The challenge with this method of serving is that the chocolate will cool and harden more quickly.