What is A Free Radical?

A free radical is an atom with an unpaired electron in the outermost shell.
Let’s make this simpler to understand: Say you have a bare piece of steel and you leave it outside for awhile. What”s going to happen to the piece of steel?It is going to rust. This is called oxidation.
Our bodies go through the same process every day. As we breathe, eat, sleep, and exercise, our body experiences oxidation. This is the cause of aging and more than 200 degenerative diseases. With the help of antioxidants, you can greatly reduce the number of free radicals in your body!

HOW CAN I COMBAT FREE RADICALS
No one can avoid free radicals completely; they are a part of your daily life. However, by consuming foods rich in antioxidants, you can effectively combat excessive amounts of free radicals and prevent oxidative damage. one such food source is Xocai Healthy Chocolate.

WHAT ARE ANTIOXIDANTS?
Antioxidants are molecules that can prevent the damaging effects of excessive amount of free radicals in the body by neutralizing and destroying them.

WHAT ARE FLAVONOIDS?
Simply stated, flavonoids are plant- based antioxidants that help the body”s cells resist damage by free radicales. The consumption of foods containing flavonoids hsa been linked to numerous health benefits.Current research indicates that cacao is one of the richest sources of flavonoids of any known food.www.pilko.ca

Your Body

Cocoa butter accounts for 50% of the weight of the cocoa bean, with the main fatty acids being stearic and palmitic (saturated fats), oleic (the one in olive oil, a monounsaturated fatty acid) and linoleic acid (polyunsaturated). Even though we are taught that saturated fats are harmful to the cardiovascular system, the stearic acid fat does not elevate blood cholesterol like other saturated fatty acids. This particular fat in chocolate is not absorbed well by the intestinal tract. It also has been shown that these cocoa fatty acids may modify LDL-C, making it more resistant to oxidation. The cocoa bean also has some insoluble fiber and soluble fiber, which helps lower cholesterol levels. Fiber has been shown to be extremely beneficial in lowering colon cancer rates, improving sugar metabolism, and preventing constipation. The cocoa bean contains several minerals and vitamins which are useful. Dark chocolate contains magnesium, which is necessary for muscle relaxation, nerve conduction, energy production, and bone and teeth development and health. Magnesium deficiencies make PMS (premenstrual syndrome) worse. Copper is involved in many of the chemical processes in the body and dark cocoa is a rich source of copper. Potassium is vital for cardiovascular health and dark cocoa contains a high level of potassium.www.pilko.ca

Chocolate: A New Choice for Health

Literally dozen of studies demonstrate the health benefits of consuming cocoa, which is the main ingredient in "dark" chocolate. Cocoa contains a host of nutrients such as B-vitamins, copper, calcium, iron, magnesium and vitamin E. More impressive are its health-promoting high levels of phytonutrients (phyto means "plant" in Greek), which are largely responsible for cocoa's antioxidant capabilities.

Antioxidant compounds are found in a variety of foods, typically plants and fruits that are rich in color. In fact, evidence suggested that the darker the skin of a fruit is, the more antioxidants it contains. The same is true with chocolate-the more bitter or dark the cocoa is, the more antioxidant compounds it contains.

Cocoa is rich in antioxidant flavonoids called flavonols, which include procyanidins, epicatechins and catechins. Studies have shown that people with high blood levels of flavonoids have lower risk of heart disease, lung cancer, prostate cancer asthma and diabetes. This reduction in health risks is due to the many beneficial properties of flavonoids: they possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, anticancer and antiviral properties.

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Healthy Chocolate and Weight Control

12 WAYS Cocoa Promotes Weight Loss

1.Optimizes Nutrition. Much of today's common diet is comprised of empty calories.If the body is not receiving the nutrients it needs, it produces the urge to eat more. Cocoa, on the other hand, provides the appropriate amount of vitamins and minerals the body needs, thus decreasing the urges for added "fuel"

2.Balances Blood Sugar. Cocoa and dark chocolate help stabilize blood levels, reducing hypoglycemic episodes and binge-eating behaviors. They also promote healthy insulin sensitivity and proper glucose metabolism, which minimizes the conversion of glucose into fat.

3.Normalizes Appetite. One of the cocoa's active compounds-anandamide, also called the "bliss chemical"-helps block the brain's appetite center. Anandamide "tricks" the mind into believing something sweet has been consumed, which satisfies cravings without the added food intake.

4.Fights Depression. Cocoa stimulates the dopamine and norepinephrine pathways in the brain, which lessen depression and are associated with decreased appetite and weight loss.

5.Delivers Phenylethylamine(PEA). This chemical produces effects similar to those of amphetamine, which makes one feel giddy, euphoric and excited. Researchers also believe that PEA stimulates the production of dopamine in the brain's pleasure center. such emotions counter the depression typically associated with dieting and restrictive dietary intake.

6.Increases Fiber. Surprisingly,cocoa is an excellent sources of fiber, which helps block fat absorption, creates a feeling of fullness when eating, and is associated with decreased weight.

7.Boosts Endorphins. Cocoa increases the body's endorphin levels, which naturally decreases the need to eat high-sugar, high -fat foods. The "high" one gets from the dark chocolate supersedes any enjoyment one might get from eating, so the focus shifts to eating for nutrition rather than pleasure.

8.Increases Serotonin. This calming neurotransmitter helps promote a balanced mood. Carbohydrates like chocolate help stimulate its production, and the alkaloids found in cocoa also help raise serotonin levels.

9.Relieves Inflammation. Cocoa's primary compounds help relive low-grade inflammation. Chronic inflammation is associated with low leptin levels, which increases appetite.

10.Delivers Theobromine. Similar to caffeine (though not as strong), theobromine may produce a mild, pleasant stimulatory effect.

11.Substitutes Good for Bad. Instead of consuming high-calorie chocolates loaded with sugars, bad fats and other harmful ingredients, look for chocolate products that are high in cold-processed cocoa provide high levels of cocoa's flavanols and other nutrients, and are sweetened with natural sweeteners. this substitution will decrease bad fat, bad sugar and calorie intake and increase consumption of nutrients essential to the body.

12.Increases Energy. An added benefit of cocoa's accumulative effects seems to be added energy, which can improve one's ability to exercise and lessens the desire to seek out unhealthy foods as and energy source.

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I LOVE CHOCOLATE , do you?

The ULTIMATE antioxidant treat. Antioxidants are intimately involved in the prevention of cellular damage -- the common pathway for cancer, aging, and a variety of diseases. Unprocessed Chocolate has one of the highest antioxidant concentrations of any food (followed closely by the Acai Berry). Xoçai gourmet chocolate contains more antioxidants per ounce and taste better than any other product on the market today.The ULTIMATE antioxidant treat. Antioxidants are intimately involved in the prevention of cellular damage -- the common pathway for cancer, aging, and a variety of diseases. Unprocessed Chocolate has one of the highest antioxidant concentrations of any food (followed closely by the Acai Berry). Xoçai gourmet chocolate contains more antioxidants per ounce and taste better than any other product on the market todayXocai Healthy Gourmet Chocolate is...
a natural appetite suppresant and energy booster. The first thing that you will notice after you start eating xocai healthy gourmet chocolate products is a decrease in appetite, as well as, an increase in energy. Others have also experienced improved memory from eating xocai healthy gourmet chocolate.www.pilko.ca

Xocai Healthy Gourmet Chocolate is...

at the "cutting edge" of the Healthy Chocolate Revolution. "Chocolate" is ranked the second "Hottest" Business for 2007 by Entrepreneur Magazine. Look out 2008! Xocai healthy gourmet chocolate provides the most Lucrative Compensation Plan in the Industry. a natural appetite suppresant and energy booster. The first thing that you will notice after you start eating xocai healthy gourmet chocolate products is a decrease in appetite, as well as, an increase in energy. Others have also experienced improved memory from eating xocai healthy gourmet chocolate.

Xocai products are produced with unprocessed, non-alkalized, non-lecithinized cacao powder, combined with the Acai berry and blueberries. The combination of these ingredients, in their natural state, provide a product that is packed full of the most powerful antioxidants! Chocolate products on store shelves use processed cocoa powder and sugars, along with bad fats, fillers, waxes, preservatives, and they contain a high amount of calories!www.pilko.ca