Mary O'Brien Aurora Comments on Potential Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate

PHILADELPHIA, PA, February 27, 2013

Mary O'Brien Aurora, owner of The Aurora Treats Company, comments on a new article released by The Monterey County Herald that notes that dark chocolate may provide benefits other than simply tasting great. The piece references a study from the Harvard School of Public Health, which offers insight into the health benefits that chocolate may provide.

The study states, "A growing body of evidence suggests that the consumption of foods rich in polyphenolic compounds, particularly cocoa, may have cardioprotective effects." Essentially, this means that chocolate contains a handful of ingredients that help to protect the heart. One group of these "polyphenolic compounds" is thought to keep arteries clear and flexible. Therefore, consuming dark chocolate may actually help to lower blood pressure and slow down the progression of heart disease. While most saturated fat is deemed "bad" because it raises the dangerous LDL cholesterol in a person's blood, the primary saturated fat that occurs naturally in chocolate is stearic acid, which is a "neutral" fat that does not have an impact on cholesterol levels.

Other studies of late show that cocoa also contains ingredients that may help to improve brain function and lower an individual's risk for conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer's.

Mary O'Brien Aurora, owner of The Aurora Treats Company, comments on these new findings, stating, "These studies provide terrific news for those with a sweet tooth. Now it makes sense to indulge in a piece or two of dark chocolate. What's better than a dessert that also provides benefits for your body?"

Though the research is promising, it also notes that not all chocolate is equally beneficial to the human body. While a person may favor milk chocolate or white chocolate, in order to fully reap the benefits of the dessert, an individual must select chocolate of the dark variety. Incidentally, cocoa powder, the nonfat part of the coca seed that holds the most beneficial substances, is also the most bitter tasting.

Chocolates that are richest in cocoa content are more likely to contain heart-protective flavanols, since they contain more cocoa than their milk chocolate counterparts.

For those wondering about a daily minimum chocolate requirement, scientists have not yet figured out a recommended daily serving size in order to get the physical benefits of the food. However, it is understood that chocolate has benefits that are both "acute" as well as "chronic." This means that a health boost is immediate, and can also benefit a person in the long run. Mary O'Brien Aurora notes, "As the benefits of this food continue to come to light, now more than ever, it's the perfect time to enjoy dark chocolate as a sweet end to a meal."

ABOUT:

Mary O'Brien Aurora is the founder of The Aurora Treats Company, which is a popular bakery that offers homemade pastries, breads, cakes, cookies, and other specialty items. Mary received formal training at The French Pastry School of Kennedy-King College in Chicago. Today, she and her staff offer pastry baking workshops at the store.

Website: http://maryobrienaurora.net/