Some companies promote their chocolate as if it's the most important health supplement you could be taking, neglecting the fact that there are certain foundational needs of the body, and that people's specific conditions may call for specific supplements to help them.
So I am NOT a fan of calling healthy chocolate the #1 health supplement by any means. But I do think the right chocolate can make an awesome, healthy treat that replaces the junk we often turn to when wanting something sweet. And yes ... if it is real food, as raw chocolate is, you never know what benefits your body may see.
Health Supplement Basics In my opinion, there are a few supplements that everyone ought to consider. Among them: probably a non-denatured protein, providing optimal amino acids, which are the doers and builders in the body. Also, adequate fiber, especially a prebiotic fiber (which helps the body's friendly bacterial colonies). Also, adequate healthy fats in the form of some sort of omega-3 supplement.
And because our soils are largely depleted of the nutrients they once held and most of us are eating processed food, a good (hopefully food-based) multi-vitamin/mineral. If nothing else, extra vitamin D3 at least in the winter. I take 5000 IUs a day.
Personally, I consume a lot of raw, power foods throughout the day. This includes non-denatured protein and gives me a lot of fiber. So the only supplements I try to make sure I'm taking every day are essential fatty acids and vitamin D3 in the winter. I rely on these foods to provide me with my vitamins and minerals in the way nature intended.
How Healthy Chocolate Fits In
Again, healthy (especially raw) chocolate is FOOD. And because I like to get my nutrients from food, I love to eat raw chocolate. Among its benefits are the flavanoids that promote antioxidant capacity in the body. (Cacao has more flavanoids than red wine, green tea, or blueberries.) Also its many "feel good" chemicals. Also its high magnesium levels -- a key mineral that most Americans are grossly deficient in, contributing to osteoporosis, type II diabetes, heart and other muscle problems, etc.
And again ... choosing healthy chocolate as a treat instead of processed, high sugar options means getting nutrients instead of ingesting problems. This in itself goes a long way to helping you enjoy life in the moment ... and long-term.
Now let's move on to where chocolate begins: cacao.
