They taste yummy, but are they healthy? Dark chocolate covered almonds are a real treat. Who can resist that sweet tasting chocolate coating that melds enticingly with the salty almond interior? Eating dark chocolate covered almonds not only serenades the taste buds, but offers some pretty impressive health benefits as well.
Why Dark Chocolate Covered Almonds are Healthy
First, there are the health benefits of eating almonds. Almonds are no stranger to the world of nutrition. These tasty little orbs are chock full of vitamin E – an antioxidant that protects cell membranes from damage and reduces the risk of heart disease. It does this by keeping platelets from clumping together to form clots and preventing cholesterol from sticking to blood vessel walls.
Eating almonds is heart healthy for another reason. They contain the right kinds of fats – monounsaturated ones. The heart loves monounsaturated fats since they don’t raise cholesterol levels like saturated fats do. They’re also a good source of magnesium, which reduces the risk of heart disease by helping to normalize blood pressure.
What about the health benefits of eating chocolate? Eating chocolate boosts heart health too, as long as it’s dark chocolate that’s high in flavanols. The flavanols in dark chocolate and cocoa increase production of a chemical called nitric oxide which causes the coronary arteries to relax – which means better blood flow to the heart. This blood vessel dilation also lowers blood pressure which is a positive when it comes to heart health.
Some studies show that eating chocolate reduces stress and improves mood. Dark chocolate causes the body to produce more of the “feel good” hormones called endorphins. Few will deny that they don’t feel a little better after indulging in a piece of dark chocolate.
Eating Dark Chocolate Covered Almonds: The Bottom Line?
It’s clear that eating dark chocolate covered almonds has some pretty remarkable health benefits – but it’s important to show restraint. Thirteen dark chocolate covered almonds have around 210 calories – not to mention the sugar. Downing a whole bag of them could lead to some serious weight gain! Eat them in moderation and enjoy some of the tastiest health benefits around.
References:
Nutritiondata.com. "Nutrition Facts - Dark Chocolate Almonds". Accessed 3/18/10.
Kristie Leong - I'm a family physician interested in all aspects of traditional and alternative medicine, especially the use of nutrition to prevent ...
