2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29
Dark chocolate contains nutrients that can positively affect our health. It is one of the best sources of antioxidants on the planet. Studies show that dark chocolate can improve health and reduce the risk of heart disease. Here 7 health benefits of dark chocolate:
1. It is very nutritious
If you eat quality black chocolate with a high cocoa content, you will know that it is actually quite nutritious. The reason - it contains a decent amount of soluble fiber and minerals. In 100 grams of a bar of dark chocolate, with 70-85% cocoa, there are 11 grams of fiber, a lot of iron, magnesium, copper, manganese, but also potassium, phosphorus, zinc and selenium. But remember that in these 100 grams there are about 600 calories, so consume dark chocolate in moderation.
2. Dark chocolate is a powerful source of antioxidants
Cocoa and dark chocolate have a wide variety of powerful antioxidants. And they are good for our health.
3. Dark chocolate can improve blood circulation and lower blood pressure
The flavanols in dark chocolate can stimulate the endothelium, the lining of the arteries, to produce nitric oxide. This in turn reduces resistance and blood pressure. Many controlled studies have shown that the bioactive compounds in cocoa can improve blood flow in the arteries and cause a small but statistically significant drop in blood pressure.
4. Lowers cholesterol and insulin resistance
Consumption of dark chocolate can improve several important risk factors for heart disease. In a controlled study, cocoa powder was found to significantly reduce oxidized LDL cholesterol in men. It also increases HDL and lowers total LDL for those with high cholesterol. Dark chocolate can also reduce insulin resistance, which is another common risk factor for many diseases such as heart disease and diabetes.
5. May reduce the risk of heart disease
Several long-term observations show a drastic improvement. A study of 470 adult men found that cocoa reduced the risk of death from heart disease by an incredible 50% over a period of 15 years. Another study found that consuming chocolate two or more times a week reduced the risk of plaque calcification in the arteries by 32%. Another study shows that consuming dark chocolate more than 5 times a week reduces the risk of heart disease by 57%.
6. You can protect your skin from the sun
Bioactive compounds in dark chocolate can also be great for your skin. Flavonols can protect against sun damage, improve blood flow to the skin and increase skin density and hydration.
7. Can improve brain function
Dark chocolate can also improve brain function. A study of healthy volunteers showed that eating cocoa for five days improved blood flow to the brain. Cocoa can also significantly improve cognitive function in elderly people with mental disabilities.
Also keep in mind that much of the chocolate on the market is not healthy. Choose quality products - dark chocolate with 70% or higher cocoa content.
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