Q. Here’s how I get the benefits of chocolate without the fat and sugar: I stir 1/2 teaspoon of pure cocoa powder into a serving of low-calorie Greek yogurt. Sometimes I add fresh sliced strawberries.
A. We agree that sounds delicious, and it is a great low-calorie way to get beneficial cocoa compounds. They have been shown to keep blood vessels flexible, lower blood pressure, raise good HDL cholesterol and help prevent blood clots.
The compounds in cocoa also reduce oxidative stress in the body and fight inflammation (Molecular Nutrition and Food Research, June, 2013). If you are interested in learning more about the health benefits of chocolate, you may wish to listen to our recent radio show on the topic by purchasing a CD or MP3.
