Health Benefits of Chocolate 

It's the best medical news: chocolate is good for us!
 
Studies have found that chocolate (especially dark chocolate)

• lowers blood pressure
• reduces platelet activation
• relaxes blood vessels and promotes blood flow
• balances certain cardiovascular hormones
• promotes alertness
• lessens pain
• promotes well-being
• acts as an antioxidant and absorbs free radicals
• promotes higher levels of good HDL cholesterol and lower
  levels of bad LDL cholesterol

And best of all: Researchers from Harvard School of Public Health found
that those who eat chocolate several times each month live almost a year
longer than those who eat too much or those who steer clear of junk
altogether.

We tend to forget that chocolate is derived from cocoa beans, which are
the fruits of the cacao tree. And fruits are a rich source of beneficial
substances. Flavonoids are one of the special ingredients that make
chocolate so special. Flavonoids are naturally-occurring compounds found
in plant-based foods. Specifically flavonoids have been found to prevent
fat-like substances in the bloodstream from oxidizing and clogging the
arteries, and make blood platelets less likely to stick together and
cause clots. Cocoa beans contain large quantities of flavonoids as do
red wine, cranberries, blueberries, green tea, apples, and many other
fruits and vegetables. Generally dark chocolate is higher in flavonoids
than milk chocolate.
 
Phenylethylamine is another good substance found in chocolate, though in
small quantities. It is related to amphetamines and stimulates the brain
by increasing the activity of neurotransmitters that increase our
ability to pay attention and stay alert. Studies recently indicated that
chocolate releases the "happy" chemical serotonin in the brain. Scientists have also been able to isolate another substance called anandamide, from the Sanskrit word ananda which means peaceful bliss. This substance, naturally produced in the brain, is believed to bind to the same receptor sites in the brain as cannabinoids, (yes, the same chemicals in marijuana), and help produce a feeling of euphoria.Researchers also found that chocolate thins the blood, much like aspirin does. These researchers at UC Davis believe that consumption of cocoa may be associated with improved cardiovascular health.

When one talks about the health benefits of chocolate, reference is made primarily to dark chocolate. Fat and sugar are the two ingredients in some chocolates that negatively impact our health, and milk chocolate has added butterfat which contains cholesterol. Cocoa butter on the other hand is a vegetable fat and has no cholesterol. Milk chocolate also has fewer antioxidanats than dark chocolate.

Skeptical? Just Google chocolate and health benefits on the internet and
see how many thousands of research papers and articles there are!

Chocolate, regularly consumed, in moderation, is enjoyable and beneficial.

Do I eat chocolate every day? Absolutely! The moments I eat chocolate, in moderation , are some of the best moments of each day, that I savor.

Yours, in mind, body, chocolate every day
Oliver.

Oliver Kita Matcha Tea Chocolate Bon Bons
“Matcha Green tea is steeped with full cream and whisked to dissolve. It is then poured over white chocolate to make a green tea and white chocolate ganache. The flavor is very pleasant and similar to green tea ice cream. I make truffles with this filling and coat them with Matcha White Chocolate. The finished truffles are rolled in Masago, a tiny crispy unsweeted rice ball often used in Japan as a topping on cereal or desserts.“

What is Matcha Tea?
Matcha — literally, "powdered tea" — is a special type of green tea: a precious, jewel-green powder Preparation of matcha is the focus of the Japanese tea ceremony and has a long association with Zen. Matcha is the only form of tea in which the whole leaf is consumed, and because it is made from top-quality leaves that are treated with great care, it delivers more of the healthful elements of green tea than other forms. matcha gives most people a feeling of well-being. For matcha, unlike most other forms of green tea, farmers cover the plants with heavy shade cloth for three weeks prior to harvest in May. This causes the new shoots to develop larger, thinner leaves with better flavor and texture. Harvesting is by hand, and only the youngest, smallest leaves are selected for the best quality matcha. Farmers steam the leaves briefly to stop any fermentation, then dry them and pack them in bales for cold storage. Aging deepens the flavor, which becomes optimum after six months. the leaves of tea trees grown in the shade and then lightly steamed to prevent fermentation and loss of antioxidants. This light steaming process also preserves the chlorophyll content of the green tea leaves which gives matcha its characteristic brilliant green color. The leaves are then finely ground into a powder form which can be used in a variety of green tea based drinks or added to recipes of all types. The benefits of match green tea powder make it a healthy and tasty alternative to traditional green tea. Combine matcha with chocolate and one has a most delicious healthy experience.

Health Benefits of Matcha
Measurements of matcha's antioxidant capacity has been shown to be many times higher than the antioxidant activity of such antioxidant rich foods as blueberries and chocolate by itself. Surprisingly, matcha has almost ten times the antioxidants of regular green teas making it the nutritional powerhouse of green tea drinks In addition to providing trace minerals and vitamins (A, B-complex, C, E, and K), matcha is rich in catechin polyphenols — compounds with high antioxidant activity. These compounds offer protection against many kinds of cancer, help prevent cardiovascular disease and slow the aging process. They also reduce harmful cholesterol in the blood, stabilize blood sugar levels, help reduce high blood pressure and enhance the resistance of the body to many toxins. The most important polyphenol in matcha is EGCG (epigallo-catechin gallate), which is the subject of many medical studies. Matcha has a significant amount of dietary fiber and practically no calories. Matcha also has the added health benefits of the high chlorophyll content. Although matcha green tea powder tends to be more expensive than standard green tea formulations, health conscious consumers are happy to pay the extra price for the additional versatility and added health benefits of matcha green tea.

Fortunately, Oliver Kita has created chocolates with Matcha Tea. They are in the Oliver Kita Studio Chocolates Collection, the Oliver Kita Rejuvenating Chocolates Collection and the Oliver Kita Soothing Chocolates Collections.