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Dark Chocolate – Definition, 10 Proven Health Benefits, and More

Dark Chocolate Definition

Dark chocolate carries vitamins, minerals, and a large amount of cocoa. It is considered the healthiest.

But first, a bit of history. In the past, chocolate was an exotic food. It came to Europe between the 19th and 20th centuries from America.

It was a food that introduces and accepted very quickly by the nobility and upper classes of society. And it’s easy to understand why: its delicious flavour!

Dark chocolate could have some health benefits.

10 Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate

dark chocolate

The consumption of chocolate must be moderate since this product can contain large amounts of fat, and the processed versions can load with sugars and flavourings.

If you want to learn more about this topic, be sure to learn about the surprising benefits of our favourite sweet.

1. Provides Numerous Nutrients

  • Dark chocolate contains vitamins and minerals essential for our body’s proper functioning, including magnesium, iron, potassium, and copper.
  • Magnesium helps prevent hypertension, type II diabetes, and other heart diseases, while iron protects our body against anaemia.
  • On the other hand, both potassium and copper help prevent heart attacks and strokes.
  • As if this were not enough, dark chocolate, made up of 70% cocoa, contains significant amounts of fibre, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, and selenium, all of which are essential minerals in the diet of a healthy person.

2. Improves Blood Circulation and Reduces Hypertension

  • Chocolate is known to protect heart health, improve blood circulation, and control blood pressure.
  • This product contains chemical compounds called flavonoids that help stimulate the arteries’ lining to produce nitrogen oxide.
  • A type of gas that signals blood vessels to relax, thereby improving blood circulation and lowering blood pressure.
  • It helps reduce the chances of developing blood clots and prevents hardening of the arteries.

3. Improves Insulin Resistance

  • By having a low Glycemic Index (GI), and not producing significant sugar levels, moderate doses of dark chocolate are an excellent option for diabetic patients.
  • On the other hand, the flavonoids present in chocolate help maintain cells’ proper functioning and allow the body to use insulin correctly, reducing resistance.

4. Helps Lower Cholesterol

  • Researchers have found that regular destruction of small doses of dark chocolate helps reduce harmful cholesterol levels.
  • It can cause severe complications if oxidized, such as inflammation in the arteries, heart attacks, or strokes.
  • In these cases, the antioxidants present in dark chocolate help protect the body against oxidative damage and increase acceptable cholesterol levels.

5. Improves Skin Health

  • Dark chocolate is hugely beneficial for the skin’s health since the flavonoids present in this product help increase the skin’s density and promote hydration.
  • It improves blood circulation to the vessels in the skin tissues. Also, flavonoids protect against damage caused by UV rays.

6. Protects the Denture

  • Dark chocolate contains theobromine, a compound that helps remove bacteria and dirt from tooth enamel.
  • If you maintain good dental hygiene, regular small doses of dark chocolate can help reduce the risk of cavities and other dental problems.

7. Treatment for Cough

  • Theobromine also acts as a mild stimulant that helps calm a cough with beautiful results.
  • This chemical compound helps to block the action of the sensory nerves, stopping the cough.
  • The active ingredient in most cough syrups, consuming dark chocolate, has no side effects.

8. Fight Cancer and Aging

  • Thanks to its high content of antioxidants, dark chocolate helps keep us young both inside and out, fighting toxins and protecting the body against free radical damage.
  • These compounds not only can slow down the ageing process, but they also help kill certain types of cancer cells.
  • Both flavonoids, polyphenols, and proanthocyanidins are antioxidants present in dark chocolate, which help slow cancer cells’ growth.
  • Dark chocolate has another natural compound called pentamer, which inhibits the proteins that stimulate cancer cells’ reproduction.

9. Improves Mood

  • We all know that it is one of those foods we eat to feel better. It is because chocolate can stimulate endorphin and serotonin, the hormones of pleasure and happiness.
  • This product also loads with Phenylethylamine, the same chemical produced by the brain when we are in love.

10. Reduce Stress

  • It seems that chocolate is a miracle food, as it canister also reduce the risk of a wide variety of stress-related diseases.
  • And also, dark chocolate helps reduce the effects of stress on the body and mind.
  • Many researchers have found that people who consume small doses of dark chocolate regularly have lower stress hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline, circulating in the bloodstream.

Conclusion

There is considerable evidence that cocoa can give healthy health benefits, being especially protective against heart disease.

Naturally, this doesn’t mean you should go all out and eat lots of chocolate every day. It still loads with calories and easy to overeat.

Maybe you eat a square or two after dinner and try to savour them. If you want cocoa benefits without the calories in chocolate, consider making hot cocoa without any cream or sugar.

And also, be aware that a lot of chocolate on the market is not healthy.

Also Read: 10 Top Home Remedies to Get Remove of Dandruff Naturally

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