Seven healthy reasons to eat dark chocolate
We don't know if the same applies to you, but for us at Fine Taste, dark chocolate is addictive! If you are like us, you will certainly have experienced that sort of palate ecstasy when you taste a good dark chocolate. And you will surely immediately regret it after realizing you ate a little too much. Don't worry, you are in good company! Chocolate doesn't have to be a guilty pleasure. The benefits of including moderate doses of dark chocolate in your daily diet are numerous.
Let's discover together the seven healthy reasons to eat dark chocolate
1. Dark chocolate helps prevent heart disease and reduce the risk of stroke
One of the biggest benefits is the role dark chocolate can play in improving heart health. It is the flavonoids contained in it that maintain heart health. These chemicals help produce nitric oxide, which causes blood vessels to relax and lower blood pressure.
2. Dark chocolate improves cognitive ability, prevents memory loss and increases positive mood
Consuming dark chocolate with high percentages of cocoa can benefit the brain. Chocolate stimulates neural activity in areas of the brain associated with pleasure and contentment. Stress decreases and mood improves. Furthermore, memory and learning ability can improve thanks to the correct consumption of chocolate, since flavonoids – the powerful plant compounds in cocoa beans – tend to accumulate in the areas of the brain responsible for these functions.
3. Dark chocolate improves blood sugar levels and reduces the risk of developing diabetes
Eating chocolate every day doesn't seem like the best way to prevent diabetes, but some studies have shown that healthy amounts of cocoa-rich dark chocolate can actually improve how the body metabolizes glucose when it's eaten as part of a healthy diet.
4. It has beneficial effects on your intestines and aids weight loss
Eating chocolate every day probably seems like the ultimate way to lose weight, but then again, studies show that dark chocolate plays a role in appetite control, which in turn can aid weight loss. Of course, eating more than the recommended amount per day can counteract any potential weight loss. The daily quantity of dark chocolate not to exceed is 30 grams. During digestion, chocolate acts like a prebiotic (not to be confused with a probiotic), a type of fiber that encourages the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut. The more "good" microbes in your system, the better your body is able to absorb nutrients and support a healthy metabolism.
5. Fights free radicals and plays an important role in cancer prevention
The antioxidants found in chocolate protect our cells from damage caused by free radicals, which are unstable oxygen molecules believed to be responsible for aging and disease. Flavonoids can instead help prevent cell damage that is often the precursor to many cancers.
6. Improves skin
The vitamins and minerals that dark chocolate is rich in – such as copper, iron, magnesium and manganese, to name a few – also have benefits for the skin. Manganese, for example, supports the production of collagen, a protein that helps keep skin young and healthy. The high levels of antioxidants in dark chocolate can protect your skin from the powerful ultraviolet (UV) rays emitted by the sun.
7. Dark chocolate is nutritious and delicious!
In addition to all the other potential benefits, one thing is certain: dark chocolate contains a lot of nutrients. Of course, the darker the chocolate, the better, but any dark chocolate contains antioxidants, fiber, potassium, calcium, copper and magnesium. Unfortunately, it also contains a good amount of calories and fat; therefore, it must be taken correctly and consciously throughout the day. Remember, no more than 30 grams per day.
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