It’s a little bit of a joke in my family that Grandma Judy (my mom) can claim that any of her vices are good for you. As she gives her grandkids a treat she will often tout its benefits. “Chocolate has calcium, eat up kids!”
She is right, to some extent. Chocolate can be healthy, but not the type she’s offering.
Raw chocolate (dark chocolate) or cacao has numerous health benefits and zero added sugars. It contains key antioxidants, vital minerals, B vitamins, protein, and fiber.
Chocolate is also a mood elevator because it increases serotonin in the body, the feel-good neurotransmitter. That’s why we tend to reach for the stuff when we need a little pick me up. I so look forward to my two squares of dark chocolate almost every night. I typically do 100% cacao, but sometimes will indulge with 85%. If you look at my recipe list I tend to try and add chocolate to everything!
A Healthy Excuse to Eat Dark Chocolate
Want another great excuse to eat chocolate? It’s one of the highest magnesium-containing foods out there, and some reports say up to 80% of individuals are sorely lacking in this key mineral. This food was gold to the Aztecs. They traded with it, drank it, and declared it a miracle food. They must have been on to something!
What Does Magnesium Do?
Magnesium is responsible for up to 300 enzymatic reactions within your body. Magnesium activates nerves and muscles, creates energy by activating ATP, aids in the digestion of macronutrients, serves as a building block for DNA, and is a precursor for serotonin as I mentioned above. There is an entire book called The Magnesium Miracle touting magnesium’s ability to cure everything from migraines to diabetes. I’ve listened to most of it and believe it is a key component of many chronic health issues.
I personally am a magnesium convert. I was an insomniac for most of my life until I started supplementing with magnesium and fixing some communication issues with my HPA axis (Hypothalamus, Pituitary, and Adrenal), but I’ll save that story for another time. This was four years ago; not only have I rarely had a night where I can’t fall asleep, I sometimes struggle to keep my eyes open. This was unheard of in my teens through thirties.
I’ve seen a few of my clients have miraculous recoveries after starting magnesium supplementation from nagging issues. One had chronic foot pain and could barely walk in the morning, the other couldn’t stop their muscle twitching. A week on magnesium and all was right in the world.
Do You Have a Magnesium Deficiency?
The key symptoms of a magnesium deficiency include numbness and tingling, muscle cramps, anxiety, insomnia, depression, and migraines among many others. Please do your research or talk to a nutritionist if you decide to supplement with Magnesium because many forms are poorly absorbed and can cause gastric distress initially. Magnesium-rich foods include dark leafy greens, pumpkin seeds, yogurt, almonds, bananas, and avocados. Remember to always start with food first!
Cheers to your health! XDeeDee
