A PRIMER ON FUNCTIONAL FOODS
What are functional foods? And why are we so passionate about them?
The FDA does not formally define “functional foods”. However, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics explain functional foods as “whole foods along with fortified, enriched or enhanced foods that have a potentially beneficial effect on health when consumed as part of a varied diet on a regular basis at effective levels based on significant standards of evidence.
"You're going to eat chocolate anyway, you might as well
benefit from it!"
At DeSisto Functional Foods we take our eating habits very seriously! We live by the mission of eating healthy food daily. That's just our lifestyle.
However, healthy eating doesn't mean it is not tasty. We can guarantee that you will love every bar you try.
David DeSisto
OWNER, DESISTO FUNCTIONAL FOODS, LLC
1. Chocolate for a better mood
2. Chocolate makes you eat less
3. Chocolate for a healthy heart
4. Chocolate for glowing skin and sun protection
5. Chocolate may lower inflammation
6. Chocolate is a prebiotic
7. Chocolate for anti-aging
7 HEALTH BENEFITS OF CHOCOLATE
Theobroma cacao, the Latin name for chocolate, means “Food of the Gods” for a reason. It’s a heavenly way to lift your performance. Additionally, there are some major health benefits of chocolate.
We’re not talking about junk chocolate in candy bars and sweet desserts; dark chocolate has a long history as a healing plant, a mood enhancer, and even an aphrodisiac. So you’re in luck: you can indeed use high-quality chocolate to take delicious control of your biology.
You’ve probably read that chocolate affects your brain by causing the release of the “happiness neurotransmitters” serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins.[1] Like coffee, chocolate is also a potent source of polyphenol antioxidants, which can fight damaging free radicals and protect your mitochondria.
But experienced chocolate hackers also know chocolate to be a useful tool for improving performance in lesser-known ways. In fact, cacao exerts a systemic effect on the body, with benefits ranging from improved blood flow and cognition to beneficial alterations in gut bacteria! Here are some of the most important benefits of chocolate (besides taste…).
Does chocolate have caffeine?
Yes, but in much smaller amounts than coffee. So much less, you could probably eat a square or two of dark chocolate before bed without any trouble falling asleep. The really cool energy-giving molecule in coffee is called theobromine. Theobromine is the primary alkaloid found in cocoa that is responsible for multiple positive effects, one of which is similar to the affects of caffeine. Theobromine is present in a high concentration in dark chocolate, measuring between 237-519 mg per 50g.