An Overview
Dark chocolate is loaded with nutrients that can positively affect your health. Chocolate lovers will be delighted to learn that it could become a source of essential nutrients for them without having any adverse effects on their health in the long-run. It somewhat depends on the ingredients added to it. Nutritionists suggest consuming chocolate made with 70%– 80% cocoa is beneficial for your overall well-being. Made from the seed of the cacao tree, it’s one of the best sources of antioxidants you can find.mStudies show that dark chocolate can improve your health and lower the risk of heart disease.
1. Very nutritious:
If you buy quality dark chocolate with a high cocoa content, then it’s quite nutritious. It contains a decent amount of soluble fiber and is loaded with minerals.
A 100-gram bar of dark chocolate with 70–85% cocoa contains
• 11 grams of fiber
• 67% of the DV for iron
• 58% of the DV for magnesium
• 89% of the DV for copper
• 98% of the DV for manganese
2. It Boosts Psychological Health:
You may not believe it but consuming dark chocolate can improve your psychological health. It is a powerhouse of plenty of nutrients that function to soothe your tensed nerves. You can opt for a piece of dark chocolate in the state of despair. It will ease your condition reducing high stress and anxiety levels.
3. Powerful source of antioxidants:
ORAC stands for oxygen radical absorbance capacity. It’s a measure of the antioxidant activity of foods.
Basically, researchers set a bunch of free radicals (bad) against a sample of a food and see how well the antioxidants in the food can disarm the free radicals. The biological relevance of ORAC values is questioned, as it’s measured in a test tube and may not have the same effect in the body. However, it’s worth mentioning that raw, unprocessed cocoa beans are among the highest-scoring foods that have been tested.
4. For Eye Health:
Scientists have revealed that dark chocolate is a fantastic food that has potential to improve your overall eye health. It is useful for weak eyesight. Dark chocolate can impede the occurrence of eye infections as well.
5. Good for Overall Cholesterol Profile:
The cocoa butter found in chocolate is rich in healthy fats and polyphenols, which are beneficial compounds that act as antioxidants in the body. A 2009 study published in Southern Medical Journal looked at the effects of chocolate on 28 healthy subjects and found that just one week of dark chocolate consumption improved lipid profiles, decreased platelet reactivity and reduced inflammation.
6. May improve blood flow and lower blood pressure:
The flavanols in dark chocolate can stimulate the endothelium, the lining of arteries, to produce nitric oxide (NO) (3).
One of the functions of NO is to send signals to the arteries to relax, which lowers the resistance to blood flow and therefore reduces blood pressure. Many controlled studies show that cocoa and dark chocolate can improve blood flow and lower blood pressure, though the effects are usually mild.
7. Antioxidant-Rich Super food:
In a study published in Chemistry Central Journal, the total flavanol and polyphenol content as well as antioxidant activity content of chocolate and cocoa powder were compared to super fruits like acai, cranberry, blueberry and pomegranate. The researchers found that the flavanol content of cocoa powder (30.1 milligrams per gram) was significantly greater than all of the other super fruit powders.
8. Potential Vision Booster:
Although more research is needed, one June 2018 human clinical trialobserved that contrast sensitivity and visual acuity of 30 participants improved after consuming dark chocolate versus milk chocolate, meaning that it could potentially help boost vision.
9. Treats Cough:
Constant coughs are indeed worrisome. You can ease this condition by consuming a tiny piece of dark chocolate. The component theobromine found in it is said to control your coughs along with inflammation caused by it. Experts, however, encourage consulting with your primary care provider in a case like this to avoid further health problems.
10. Works as an Energy Booster:
You can give your energy levels a quick boost by consuming a piece of dark chocolate with mild cocoa content in it. Incorporating it into your daily routine will ward off factors that contribute to sudden fatigue. You can also munch on a tiny piece of the chocolate before a hardcore gym session. However, in case of constant fatigue and dizziness, you should consult with your primary care provider as it could be a symptom of a severe health problem.
11. May protect your skin from the sun:
The bioactive compounds in dark chocolate may also be great for your skin. The flavanols can protect against sun damage, improve blood flow to the skin, and increase skin density and hydration. The minimal erythemal dose (MED) is the minimum amount of UVB rays required to cause redness in the skin 24 hours after exposure.
12. Strengthens Immune System:
Studies have proved that dark chocolate can strengthen your immune system. It is a powerhouse of antioxidants that function to protect it from the harmful effects of internal and external damaging factors. The latter is potent enough to weaken the cells of your immune system, and as a result, it falls prey to disease-causing bacteria, infections, toxins, and free radicals. Apart from this, other components found in dark chocolate also function to improve the condition of your immune system.
13. Enhance Your Mood:
It can become a delicious source to enhance your mood. Studies have revealed that it is packed with phenethylamine. The compound is known to release endorphins. The latter functions to improve your mood, allowing you to feel good and have a positive frame of mind. Maybe have a square or two after dinner and try to savor them. If you want the benefits of cocoa without the calories in chocolate, consider making a hot cocoa without any cream or sugar.
Also, note that a lot of the chocolate on the market is not nutritious.
Choose quality stuff:
dark chocolate with 70% or higher cocoa content. You might want to check out this guide on how to find the best dark chocolate. Dark chocolates typically contain some sugar, but the amounts are usually small and the darker the chocolate, the less sugar it will contain.
How Much to Eat
Although chocolate can be a great addition to a healthy diet, it’s important to keep in mind that each serving packs in a high amount of dark chocolate calories. To avoid overindulging, it’s best to eat a little piece by itself after a solid meal or include it in a recipe. Start with around one ounce per day to keep your calorie consumption under control.
Be sure to also make other adjustments to your diet as needed to account for extra calories if you’re enjoying dark chocolate on a weight loss diet.