The Healing Powers of Chocolate

Book excerpt: Boost your immune system with antioxidants, lower your risk for the flu, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and more—with ordinary everyday ingredients you can find at home—and make healthy green choices in today’s fast-changing world! From the author of The Healing Powers of Vinegar, a guide to the health benefits of chocolate, featuring recipes and remedies. Did you know?... Known as Mother Nature’s “food of the gods,” the medicinal benefits of chocolate were recognized as far back as 4,000 years ago. Eating chocolate can help boost the immune system, lower the risk of heart disease, cancer, diabetes—even obesity—and increase lifespan. A 1.5-ounce bar of quality chocolate has as much antioxidant power as a 5-ounce glass of wine—without the side effects of alcohol. Chocolate is chock-full of mood-enhancing ingredients, including phenylethylamine (the “love drug”) and serotonin. Chocolate can relieve a host of ailments, including depression, fatigue, pain, and PMS, as well as rev up your sex drive! Drawing on the latest scientific research as well as interviews with medical doctors and chocolatiers, this fascinating book reveals how to live longer and healthier while indulging in one of nature’s most decadent and versatile foods. Explore real chocolate (infused with fruits, herbs, and spices), Mediterranean-style, heart-healthy recipes, plus home remedies that combat everything from acne to anxiety. You’ll also discover rejuvenating beauty and anti-aging spa treatments—all made with antioxidant-rich chocolate! “Can dark chocolate boost brain power? This book shows you how regular intake of antioxidant-rich cacao foods is likely to do just that, and more.” —Ray Sahelian, MD, author of Mind Boosters