BENEFITS OF DARK CHOCOLATE:
Chocolate is one of the best sweetest treats in the world.
It’s true that consumption of it may lead to gaining weight. But next time
you may not feel guilty while eating the chocolate.
There are numerous
health benefits of dark chocolate which you might be unaware of. Chocolate is
recognized as a rich source of flavonoids, mainly flavonols, a potent antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory agents.
Here is the information which describes the yummy
sweetest treat, chocolate. Eating too much chocolate in one sitting is not good
for the body.
Most of the people that enjoyed that sweet taste of chocolate
make a person leave into a mouthwatering state whenever they just saw chocolate.
Let’s get started with this article.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF DARK CHOCOLATE?
Chocolate generally is blamed because of its high fat and
sugar content. However it has many health benefits too. Let’s have a look on
various 10 benefits of dark chocolate:
1. Lose Weight:
If you are wondering
is it possible to lose weight by consuming chocolate. Then here is a big “yes”
for you. Chocolate is not always the reason which you believe for gaining weight but it can be the reason to reduce your weight also.
Eating a piece of
dark chocolate before consuming your meal can reduce your appetite by an impressive 50 percent.
A/c to neuroscientist Will Clower
chocolate triggers the hormones that tell your brain “I’m full.” It
should be noted that this applies to cacao-rich dark chocolate only.
2. Brain Power:
Chocolate helps to increase the power of your brain. In fact, people consuming chocolates are the smartest people around. It helps to
improve blood flow to the brain, and thus it makes the dark chocolate excellent brain food. Chocolates are a rich source of flavonoids. They
enhance the dentate gyrus (DG) function”.
DG is the region of the brain in which
“function declines in association with human aging.”
Studies explain that flavanols have the potential to perhaps aid
those with Alzheimer’s. Thus, dark chocolate can increase cerebral blood flow
due to its substantial flavanol content which may help thwart age-related
memory weakening.
3. Cognitive function:
Drinking two cups of
hot chocolate a day could help keep the brain healthy and reduce memory decline
in older people.
It is found in research that hot chocolate helps in improving
blood flow to the parts of the brain where it was needed.
Thus, eating
chocolate at least once weekly could improve cognitive function.
4. Heart Disease:
Chocolate consumption
could be linked to a lower risk of cardiometabolic disorders. Studies show
that consuming chocolate could help lower the risk of developing heart disease
by one-third.
It can boost heart health and reduce the likelihood of heart
disease considerably.
Research describes that people who ate one serving of
chocolate was 22 percent less likely to experience a stroke than those who did
not.
5. Gorgeous Skin:
Flavonoids are
extremely wonderful and they help to promote gorgeous skin.
They work on your
skin very well, acting as a filter to harmful UV rays and protect you against
sun damage.
Dark chocolate is a great stress reliever, which also helps keep
the skin young, fresh, and fine-line free.
6. Tastiest Medicine:
Dark chocolate is an
illness-battling all-rounder, with evidence to suggest that it’s high
antioxidant content has the potential to lower blood pressure, reduce the risk
of cardiovascular disease and improve blood flow.
Flavanols found in dark
chocolate can stimulate the lining of the arteries to produce nitric oxide,
which in turn relaxes the arteries and as a result lowers your blood pressure.
7. Energy Boost:
Dark chocolate might boost oxygen availability during
fitness training.
The scientists believe that the success of dark chocolate is
due to flavonols which it contains, which further enhance the release of nitric
oxide in the body.
8. Protects Against Cancer:
The antioxidant
properties of dark chocolate can potentially extend cancer protection by
diminishing damage to cells.
It can neutralize cancer cell production and the
associated inflammation.
Regular consumption of dark chocolate can particularly
prove beneficial in defending against colon cancer.
9. Treats Diabetes:
Dark chocolate is very helpful in treating diabetes. People who take dark chocolate pieces can
lower their chances of developing diabetes in comparison with people who don’t
eat them.
WHICH ONE IS THE BEST DARK CHOCOLATE FOR HEALTH BENEFITS TO YOU?
Generally, the question arises in your mind that which
chocolate bar is the healthiest bar for you? A healthiest dark chocolate bar is
the one that contains 70% or more than 70% of cocoa in it.
If you’re looking to
choose nutritious chocolate, the best and most ideal type of chocolate is
dark chocolate. It may be a little bitter, but has the biggest nutritional
benefit of all. This chocolate is less sweet and slightly more bitter than the
chocolate most people are used to.
It’s an acquired taste, similar to coffee or
wine. Milk chocolate, on the other hand, mostly milks fat and sugar and
contains very little cacao. This form of chocolate does not confer any health
benefits, and will likely undermine your health.
The same goes for other
“chocolate-like” products, such as chocolate candy, candy bars, ice cream, etc.
WHAT ARE THE INGREDIENTS OF DARK CHOCOLATE?
Dark chocolate has no added milk solids. Good dark
chocolate is one with high cocoa content in it.
The basic ingredients are cacao beans, sugar,
an emulsifier like soy lecithin to preserve texture, and flavorings such as
vanilla.
Chocolate has a substance known as lecithin. Lecithin benefits your
heart by breaking down the cholesterol, thus, preventing heart diseases. Other than the body, dark chocolate also
affects the serotonin levels in the brain.
The more cocoa and less sugar dark
chocolate has, the more bitter it will taste and a small amount is considered a
healthful snack.
The flavor also makes it a preferred type of chocolate for
baking and melting for a variety of desserts.
HOW TO PREPARE DARK CHOCOLATE AT HOME?
It is easy to prepare dark chocolate by yourself at home. It
can further save your money too. The ingredients which you would need in your
hand are 2 cups of cocoa powder, cocoa butter as per your taste, and sugar also
as per your taste.
Preparation:
1. Heat the sugar in a pan with one cup of water.
2. Stir till the sugar melts and then add cocoa powder
3. add cocoa butter to it.
4. Pour the mixture into molds and refrigerate to make your own
chocolate slab. The mixture should not be watery.
You make sure that you have the one that contains over 60%
cocoa.
WHAT ARE THE 10 BEST DARK CHOCOLATE BRANDS WHICH YOU SHOULD
PREFER?
Chocolates are the decent endowments to astound kids. Not
only kids, but chocolates are preferred by every one of us. Here is the list of brands which are best to
be preferred:
1. Hershey’s Special Dark
2. Lindt Excellence 99% Cocoa
3. Chocoville Compound Chocolate
4. Cadbury Bournville
5. ASAP Almond and Dark Chocolate Granola Bars
6. Mason & Co. Intense Dark Organic Chocolate
7. Amul Dark chocolate
8. Godiva Dark Chocolate
9. Kit Kat Dark
10. Toblerone
WHAT AMOUNT OF DARK CHOCOLATE IS RECOMMENDED FOR YOU?
Eating chocolate may have advantages, but it brings up the
question of how much is beneficial and what the limit is before overindulgence
cancels the positive effects.
According to experts, you can have approximately
30-60 g of dark chocolate. If you eat an average of 6g of chocolate per day you
can lower the risk of heart attack or stroke of about 39 percent.
You should
not indulge in more than that as you may consume too many calories.
WHAT ARE THE DISADVANTAGES OF DARK CHOCOLATE?
Even there are chocolates that are low in fat and calories;
still, it has oils that can transfer the fat to the heart. Therefore, you should
also, be aware of the disadvantages of the chocolates:
Dark chocolates are
high on calories with high fat and sugar.
It contains some elements that have addictive properties
such as caffeine, theobromine, and sugar which results in mood-elevating and
also contains phenethylamine which releases endorphin in the brain.
It dilates the vessels of the brain.
It contains vasoactive amines that lead to migraine
problems.
It has high quantity
of arginine which is a necessity in the replication of the virus herpes. Thus,
it is recommended to avoid dark chocolates especially those who have recurring
and active herpes infection.
It Contains Caffeine which can hinder your ability to fall
asleep at night.
It Can Increase the Risk of Kidney Stones.
Thus, chocolate is sweet and can be good or bad for the
body. It is often that we love the chocolate to the extent that we probably
hide packs of chocolates under the bed or inside the wardrobe. You should love
eating chocolates but not too much of it. Hope this article was of great help
to you.
(FAQ):
Q1. How much dark chocolate should you eat?
ANS: According to experts we can eat 30-40g per day because it’s full loaded with calories so we can eat 190 calories chocolate bar in one time.
Q2.How much sugar is in dark chocolate?
ANS: 24.23 g sugar is present in dark chocolate.
Q3. what are the benefits of chocolate for men?
ANS: There are many benefits available: 1. reduce heart disease 2. reduce stress level 3. protect against cancer.
Q4. what are the 90% dark chocolate health benefits?
ANS: 90% DARK CHOCOLATE is one of the best sources of antioxidants. increase blood flow, improve brain function, and many more advantages available.
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