1. The Health benefits of chocolate
By Andrea Hansen
Informative Speech- CM111

2. Purpose To inform you about the health benefits of chocolate
To explain components of chocolate and their direct benefits
Lowers Cholesterol
Lowers Blood Pressure
Lowers Risk of Heart Failure and Heart Disease

3. Chocolate Types Are all types of chocolate healthy?
Unprocessed Cocoa- considered high in flavonals
Strong, pungent taste
Cocoa Powder
Dark Chocolate
Cocoa is the prime component in chocolate that makes chocolate healthy for you
“Cocoa improves blood flow, makes blood platelets less sticky which helps prevent blood clotting, and lowers LDL levels” (www. lookgreat-loseweight-savemoney.com).

4. Components of Chocolate
Contains Flavonoids
“Naturally-occurring compounds found in plant-based foods that offer certain health benefits” (“Cleveland Clinic,” 2010).
Part of the polyphenol group
Flavonols
Type of flavonoid found in cocoa and chocolate
Have antioxidant qualities
(“Cleveland Clinic,” 2010).
The more processed the chocolate, the less flavonals present.

5. Components of Chocolate
Antioxidants
Help cells resist damage caused by free radicals
Cigarette smoke and other toxins
(“Cleveland Clinic,” 2010).
Oleic Acid
Heart-healthy monosaturated fat also found in olive oil
Stearic Acid and Palmitic Acid
Forms of saturated fat that have a neutral effect on cholesterol, unlike normal saturated fats

6. Cholesterol LDL- The Bad Cholesterol HDL- The Good Cholesterol
“LDL slowly builds up in artery walls, causing a thick plaque that can narrow arteries, restrict blood flow, and lead to blood clots” (Ellis, 2009).
Directly impacts chance of heart failure
HDL- The Good Cholesterol
High levels of HDL seem to protect against heart attack
Low levels increase the risk of heart disease

7. Cholesterol Antioxidants
Studies have shown that “increasing foods which are rich in antioxidants within your diet will help you at lowering cholesterol naturally” (Hare, 2008).
i.e. chocolate

8. Blood Pressure
Research shows that people whose average daily chocolate intake is at least 7.5 grams per day have lower blood pressure.
(Dye, 2010).
High blood pressure directly impacts chance of heart failure.

9. Heart Failure Heart failure Contributors
High LDL cholesterol
High blood pressure
People whose average daily chocolate intake is 7.5 grams or above are at a lower risk for heart failure.
(Dye, 2010).

10. Conclusion
Forms of chocolate that contain health benefits include unprocessed cocoa, cocoa powder, and dark chocolate.
The more processed chocolate is the less healthy it is.
The cocoa in chocolate contains components that lessen cholesterol, blood pressure, and therefore, lower chance of heart failure.
Healthy components include flavonals, antioxidants, and oleic acid.
Lowering LDL, the bad cholesterol, and lowering blood pressure directly helps lower the chance of heart failure.
Chocolate is healthy for you in moderation

11. WARNING Chocolate should only be eaten in moderation!
“Don’t ingest pounds of the
stuff because the sugar and
fat may kill you”
(Gardner, 2007).

12. References
Dye, D. (June 2010). Eating more chocolate associated with fewer cardiovascular events. Life Extension, p.NA. Retrieved September 01, 2010, from Academic OneFile via Gale: GroupName=mnapcl Ellis, M. High Levels of Cholesterol Contribute to Heart Failure. (November 2007). Health News Website. Retrieved on September 1, 2010: heart-failure-3903.html Gardner, A. Dark Chocolate Helps Keep Blood-Clotting Dangers at Bay. (November 2007). MSN Health and Fitness Website. Retrieved on August 31, 2010:

13. References
Hare, S. (2008, January 20). Lowering Cholesterol Naturally with Antioxidants. [Blog message]. Retrieved from: with.html Heart-Health Benefits of Chocolate Unveiled. (2010). Cleveland Clinic Website. Retrieved on September 1, 2010 from: What Makes Chocolate Healthy Anyway? (n.d.). Retrieved on August 31, 2010 from Look Great-Lose Weight-Save Money Website:

14. References
Cover Image Cholesterol Diagram cholesterol-contribute-to-heart-failure-3903.html Blood Pressure Image Heart Diagram ailid=COTH_CDOTH_CAD Lady Eating Chocolate Image chocolate-improve-your-maths&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1