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Dark Chocolate is Heart Healthy!

Ticul, Mexico has a thriving chocolate plantation!

If you are looking for a sweet treat that does not erode your commitment to healthy eating, have some dark chocolate. A small dark chocolate candy bar, or about half of a full-size candy bar each day is actually good for you! The reason is that dark chocolate has a high cocoa content, and cocoa is loaded with epicatechin. Epicatechin is a particularly active member of a group of compounds called plant flavonoids.

Flavonoids are found in dark leafy vegetables, and contain antioxidants which  help reduce blood pressure and protect the body from free radicals that can cause damage to the heart. Since cocoa beans are plant-based, they have many of the same benefits of dark leafy vegetables. Antioxidants scavenge the free-radicals that are responsible for oxidative damage. In fact, dark chocolate contains nearly 8 times the number of antioxidants and flavonoids found in strawberries!

Dark chocolate has also been shown to reduce LDL cholesterol (the bad cholesterol) by up to 10 percent. LDL cholesterol refers to low density lipoprotein cholesterol. When your blood is checked for cholesterol, the doctors will be looking at both HDL, good cholesterol, and LDL, bad cholesterol. Too much LDL in your blood can cause plaque build-up in the arteries.

However, not all chocolate is created equal. Dark chocolate contains a lot more cocoa than other forms of chocolate like white or milk chocolate.  Standard manufacturing processes can destroy up to half of the flavonoids, so you want to read the label and buy only high-quality dark chocolate.  The higher the cocoa content, the healthier it is.

In Ticul, Mexico, there is a chocolate plantation. The plantation is considered “relatively new” because the plantation is only five years old and it takes ten years for a cocoa plant to reach maturation. However, with tender loving care, most cocoa trees begin to bear fruit in the fifth year, although some cocoa trees can yield pods as early as the third or fourth year. A cocoa tree reaches peak production at about ten years, and can continue to produce pods for another 20-30 years. At the plantation in Ticul, the seedlings and plants are sheltered by other trees, like banana, plantain, coconuts or hardwood trees to protect them from the wind and sun. Plantation farmers in Ticul care for the cocoa, and other, plants very carefully and the plantation is thriving.

June 26, 2012 By Ron Burdine

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Expat Testimonials

Ron is one of the angels.
We can truthfully say that were it not for Ron’s sage guidance and advice, we would not have made the decision to buy land and build a house in Mexico. We have not had a single regret. It is simply paradise. And Ron is one of the angels. Thomas M. Bayer, PhD. Laura D. Kelley, PhD. Tulane University New Orleans.
Thomas & LauraTulane UniversityNew Orleans
Ron Burdine made this whole move possible
Ron Burdine made this whole move from Philadelphia possible..their knowledge and organization skills (that I don’t have) helped me create order out of my chaos..there are a million details that are just too much for one person to put in order. At least this one person. We followed Ron’s suggestions and had the secure feeling that we were ready for anything, and we were.. we had insurance, directions, hints, tips and suggestions..we have been here (Isla Mujeres) for 6 weeks and Ron is still o… Read more
Bart Salop
I highly endorse working with Ron.
If you are visiting Tulum, I highly endorse working with Ron. As an Expat he understands the needs and desires of those traveling to the area for a vacation or looking to relocate to the area. You will be in great hands with Ron. Feel free to contact me to discuss Ron’s merits further!
Brian Ripley
Ron is the consummate professional
Ron is the consummate professional and an incredible resource to have for all-things-Tulum and the surrounding areas.  Ron’s in-depth knowledge of, and caring ways for, this magnificent region of Mexico is second-to-none.  If you’re seeking vacation or travel advice for things such as lodging/hospitality/spa’s, restaurants, shopping, beaches, sports/fitness, adventure day-trips to the nearby ruins/fishing/boating/diving/snorkeling/cenotes/zip-lining, 4-wheeling, etc., or need more in-dep… Read more
Michael SchmitAustin, TX

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