Dark Chocolate – Potential Health Benefits
Although it may sound untrue but yes it's true that Chocolate can actually be good for our health. We have all heard that chocolate has lots of calories and increases weight. Well think again and go have some dark chocolates and you will see the difference. It's not only the special taste but infact there are numerous health benefits of dark chocolate when eaten in moderation. It's surprising but it helps in weight loss too.
It is made from cocoa beans which are rich in flavonoids. More the Cocoa content more is the quantity of flavonoids. Flavonoids are natural antioxidants found in plants that help fight ageing and health diseases. It is due to the presence of flavonoids there are multiple health benefits of dark chocolate.
Here are some of dark chocolate health benefits.
1. Control Blood Pressure: It helps in regulating the blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure, having few pieces of chocolate can actually help regulate blood pressure.
2. Control Blood Sugar: It is known to protect against type 2 diabetes. The flavonoids present in dark chocolate help our body cells to function normally and regain the ability to utilize our body's insulin efficiently. Due to low glycemic index it does not cause huge rise in blood sugar levels.
3. Prevent Heart Diseases: It contain flavonoids which are natural antioxidants. Flavonoids help lowering the blood pressure and also help boosting good cholesterol thus reducing the risk of heart attacks or strokes.
4. Good for Brain: It stimulates the production of endorphins in brain that bring feeling of pleasure and happiness. It also increases the flow of blood to brain and heart. Dark chocolate also contains serotonin which makes it a good remedy for treating depression.
5. Control Weight: It has been proven by studies that dark chocolate helps in controlling weight. But that does not mean you can eat chocolate in any quantities. Excess of everything is bad. So, it should also be eaten in moderation, not more than five portions a week.
6. Rich in Antioxidants: It is rich in antioxidants which help fight free radicals in body thereby reducing the risk of cancer and strokes.
7. Rich in Vitamins and Minerals: It is rich in vitamins and minerals such as potassium, magnesium, copper and iron which help maintaining a healthy heart and body.
8. Lowering Cholesterol Levels: It lowers LDL Cholesterol (bad Cholesterol) in the body and also promotes good cholesterol in the body thereby reducing the risk of strokes.
9. Prevent Alzheimer's disease: It also prevents the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.
10. Aphrodisiac: It is a well known aphrodisiac.
11. Good for skin: The flavonoids present in it absorb UV light, increase the flow of blood to skin and also improve skin texture and complexion. Chocolate facials really improve texture of skin.
12. Prevents Tooth decay: It contains theobromine which helps in hardening of tooth enamel. So it prevents the formation of cavities and tooth decay.
The above benefits of dark chocolate do not imply that you can consume chocolate in large quantities. Everything is good only when had in moderation. Also, dark chocolate must not be confused with milk chocolate or white chocolate. As the latter do not have health benefits like dark chocolate and they add calories and increase weight. Go for dark variety which has more than 70% of cocoa content. Also, limit intake to not more than 5 portions a week and have it in place of something rather than adding it to your diet.
It is made from cocoa beans which are rich in flavonoids. More the Cocoa content more is the quantity of flavonoids. Flavonoids are natural antioxidants found in plants that help fight ageing and health diseases. It is due to the presence of flavonoids there are multiple health benefits of dark chocolate.
Here are some of dark chocolate health benefits.
1. Control Blood Pressure: It helps in regulating the blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure, having few pieces of chocolate can actually help regulate blood pressure.
2. Control Blood Sugar: It is known to protect against type 2 diabetes. The flavonoids present in dark chocolate help our body cells to function normally and regain the ability to utilize our body's insulin efficiently. Due to low glycemic index it does not cause huge rise in blood sugar levels.
3. Prevent Heart Diseases: It contain flavonoids which are natural antioxidants. Flavonoids help lowering the blood pressure and also help boosting good cholesterol thus reducing the risk of heart attacks or strokes.
4. Good for Brain: It stimulates the production of endorphins in brain that bring feeling of pleasure and happiness. It also increases the flow of blood to brain and heart. Dark chocolate also contains serotonin which makes it a good remedy for treating depression.
5. Control Weight: It has been proven by studies that dark chocolate helps in controlling weight. But that does not mean you can eat chocolate in any quantities. Excess of everything is bad. So, it should also be eaten in moderation, not more than five portions a week.
6. Rich in Antioxidants: It is rich in antioxidants which help fight free radicals in body thereby reducing the risk of cancer and strokes.
7. Rich in Vitamins and Minerals: It is rich in vitamins and minerals such as potassium, magnesium, copper and iron which help maintaining a healthy heart and body.
8. Lowering Cholesterol Levels: It lowers LDL Cholesterol (bad Cholesterol) in the body and also promotes good cholesterol in the body thereby reducing the risk of strokes.
9. Prevent Alzheimer's disease: It also prevents the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.
10. Aphrodisiac: It is a well known aphrodisiac.
11. Good for skin: The flavonoids present in it absorb UV light, increase the flow of blood to skin and also improve skin texture and complexion. Chocolate facials really improve texture of skin.
12. Prevents Tooth decay: It contains theobromine which helps in hardening of tooth enamel. So it prevents the formation of cavities and tooth decay.
The above benefits of dark chocolate do not imply that you can consume chocolate in large quantities. Everything is good only when had in moderation. Also, dark chocolate must not be confused with milk chocolate or white chocolate. As the latter do not have health benefits like dark chocolate and they add calories and increase weight. Go for dark variety which has more than 70% of cocoa content. Also, limit intake to not more than 5 portions a week and have it in place of something rather than adding it to your diet.
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