Dark chocolate is a great food for good health. Chocolate is made from the cocoa seed, which is a rich source of antioxidants. Research shows that chocolate can improve health and ease the risk of heart disease. Here are ten specific reasons why dark chocolate is considered good for your health.
- A great source of nutrients
Chocolate with large content cocoa is beneficial. Such chocolate contains a good amount fiber and minerals. Thus, a 100-gram of chocolate containing 70% to 85% of cocoa contains 11 grams of fiber, minerals such as 67% of RDA of iron, 89% of RDA of copper, 58% RDA of magnesium, 98% RDA manganese; and enough quantities of phosphorus, zinc, potassium, and selenium.
A 100-gram amount of chocolate gives you 600 calories and some amount of sugar. Dark chocolate also contains protein primarily in the form of saturated and monounsaturated fats, with small amounts of polyunsaturates. Apart from these, it also contains minute quantities of caffeine and theobromine – strong stimulants on the nervous system.
- Helps maintain blood pressure at moderate level
Dark chocolate helps maintain blood pressure by enabling the endothelium lining of the arteries to make nitric oxide. The nitric oxide makes the arteries relax leading to better blood flow, and, therefore, keeps blood pressure spike in check. Research shows that cocoa and dark chocolate may help keep blood pressure at mild level. To put it briefly, the active compounds in cocoa ensure better blood flow in the arteries and result in lower blood pressure.
- A great source of antioxidants
Of all foods as a source of antioxidants, raw and preprocessed cocoa seeds are the best. Dark chocolate contains nutrients that are active and function as antioxidants. The antioxidants include polyphenols, catechins and flavanols. Cocoa and chocolate contain more antioxidants than other foods.
- Dark chocolate lessens cardiovascular disease risk
This is possible because of the compounds in it protect against the oxidation of LDL, which is vulnerable by free radicals. This helps reduce the amount of cholesterol accumulated in arteries leading lower risk of heart disease in the long run. Research on 470 men showed that the risk of death because of cardiovascular disease falls by half over a 15-year time span. A different study shows that consumption of chocolate reverses the accumulation of calcified plaque thus lowering the risk of heart disease. These studies have been performed under controlled conditions, cannot show that it was the chocolate that caused the reduction in risk. The blood pressure and the oxidized LDL in the body may be the factors helping in beneficial results of chocolate.
- Dark chocolate enhances the effect of good cholesterol and protects against LDL oxidation
That’s possible because it reduces the harmful effect of free radicals by preventing them from reacting with LDL.It can also help lessen insulin resistance, a condition in diabetes when the cells fail to be insulin responsive. When LDL is affected by free radicals, the former harms other tissues such as the lining heart arteries.Research shows that cocoa contains plenty of antioxidants that goes into the blood thus protecting the lipoproteins against damage because of free radicals.
- Dark chocolate boosts the brain
Research done by Oxford University researchers shows consuming dark chocolate make you smarter. In a study published in the Journal of Nutrition, it has been found that there is a relationship between the performance of the brain and eating chocolate. The study was done on 2,031 people in Norway aged 70 years – 74 years. The brain power tests showed people having consumed chocolate had remarkably better cognitive performance as compared to those who did not consume it.
- Benefits during pregnancy
A study conducted at Pregnancy Meeting of the Society, 2016 for Maternal-Fetal Medicine in Atlanta, GA shows that consuming 30 grams of dark chocolate each day during pregnancy leads to healthy growth and development of the fetus.
- It boosts mood
According to a study published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, people who consumed 42 grams of a drink of chocolate each day had better moods than who did not. The causative factors responsible for this are the serotonin and endorphins known for their mood-boosting quality.
- It helps protect your skin
A study reported in Nutrition shows that people consuming 20 grams of dark chocolate a day over a period of 12 weeks are able to spend twice as much as time in sunshine when compared to those who did not consume before the skin became red.
- It can help combat coughs
Chocolate relaxes you from coughs. It contains theobromine that lessens the activity of the vagus nerve. Theobromine eases the painful effects resulting from the vagus nerve that is associated with the part of the brain that causes coughs to happen.
Conclusion
There’s copious evidence that dark chocolate brings numerous health benefits by protecting you against life-threatening diseases. However, we don’t advise to eat more chocolate each day. That’s because it is full calories. In many cases, chocolate you get in the market is not that healthy. Choose quality – the darker variety containing 70% or more of cocoa hence more beneficial.
