Everything You Wanted to Know About Dark Chocolate AND Chocolate But Were Probably Too Afraid To Ask
It's that time of year when giving and indulging in the sweetness of sweets is perfectly acceptable.
The most popular of sweets this time of year is of course, chocolate. Not just any chocolate though. Dark chocolate!
Dark chocolate is high in nutrients that can benefit your health.
It's one of the best antioxidant sources you'll find, and it's made from the cacao tree's seed.
According to studies, dark chocolate can improve your health and lower your risk of heart disease.
If you buy high-quality dark chocolate with a high cocoa content, it is quite nutritious.
It is high in soluble fiber and mineral content.
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Is Chocolate Healthy?
A 100-gram bar of 70%–85% cocoa dark chocolate contains:
11 g of fiber
67 percent of the DV for iron
58 percent of the DV for magnesium
89 percent of the DV for copper and 98 percent of the DV for manganese
It is also high in potassium, phosphorus, zinc, and selenium.
Of course, 100 grams (3.5 ounces) is a substantial amount that should not be consumed on a regular basis. These nutrients also contain 600 calories and a moderate amount of sugar.
As a result, dark chocolate is best consumed in moderation.
What Are The Benefits Of Eating Dark Chocolate?
According to some Italian studies, dark chocolate has many of the same benefits as vitamin C in terms of assisting the body's use of insulin and lowering blood pressure.
The study looked at two of the three types of chocolate: dark chocolate and white chocolate. Dark chocolate is made of cocoa solids and sugar, but no milk solids (as in milk chocolate), and white chocolate, while referred to as chocolate, is made of cocoa butter (the fat in chocolate), milk solids, and sugar rather than cocoa solids.
Participants in the study who consumed 100 grams of dark chocolate daily for 15 days had lower blood pressure and became more insulin sensitive than they were before the "experiment."
Researchers believe that the benefits of dark chocolate are because of the flavonoids it contains, which are associated with the ability to lower the risk of heart disease some cancers. However, white chocolate exhibited no effect on patients since it is free of cocoa solids, where the flavonoids are found.
Can You Lose Weight Eating Chocolate?
The fatty acid profile of cocoa and dark chocolate is also favorable. The fats are mostly oleic acid (a heart-healthy fat found in olive oil), stearic acid, and palmitic acid.
Stearic acid has a neutral effect on body cholesterol. Palmitic acid can raise cholesterol levels, but it only accounts for one-third of total fat calories.
Dark chocolate contains stimulants such as caffeine and theobromine, but it is unlikely to keep you awake at night because the caffeine content is very low when compared to coffee.
Dark chocolate is high in organic compounds that are biologically active and act as antioxidants. Polyphenols, flavanols, and catechins are just a few examples.
Can You Stay Healthy Eating Chocolate?
According to one study, cocoa and dark chocolate had more antioxidant activity, polyphenols, and flavonols than any other fruit tested, including blueberries and acai berries.
Cocoa's bioactive compounds may improve artery blood flow and cause a small but statistically significant decrease in blood pressure.
Several important risk factors for disease are improved by dark chocolate. It reduces LDL's oxidative susceptibility while increasing HDL and improving insulin sensitivity.
According to observational studies, those who consume the most chocolate have a significantly lower risk of developing heart disease.
Is Chocolate Good For Your Skin And Your Brain?
The bioactive compounds in dark chocolate may also be beneficial to your skin.
Flavanols can protect the skin from sun damage, improve blood flow to the skin, and increase skin density and hydration.
The minimal erythemal dose (MED) is the amount of UVB rays required to cause skin redness 24 hours after exposure.
In one study of 30 people, the MED more than doubled after consuming dark chocolate high in flavanols for 12 weeks.
If you're planning a beach vacation, consider eating extra dark chocolate in the weeks and months leading up to it. However, before abandoning your regular skin care routine in favor of more dark chocolate, consult with your doctor or dermatologist.
Cocoa may also improve cognitive function in elderly people with mild cognitive impairment. It may improve verbal fluency as well as several risk factors for disease.
Furthermore, cocoa contains stimulants such as caffeine and theobromine, which may be one of the reasons why it can improve brain function in the short term.
So, is it time to swap out the celery and carrot platters for chocolate samplers and other related treats? Is it time to abandon "an apple a day" in favor of "a chocolate bar a day"?
The answer is most likely a resounding "no." Nonetheless, knowing this little tidbit and what other discoveries it may lead to in the future will not prevent a healthy person from occasionally indulging in the oh-so-desirable rich goodness of a nice piece of dark chocolate.
What do you think about chocolate and dark chocolate's health benefits?
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YOUR HEALTH IS YOUR WEALTH!