If you are one of those people who love dark chocolate, those with a cocoa content above 60% and a bittersweet taste(mostly bitter), then we have good news.
Chocolates are made from parts of the cacao tree which in Latin is known as “Theobrama cacao” and derives from the Greek words ” theo” meaning God and ” brosi” meaning food. Which literally translates to “food of the gods”. No wonder chocolate is liked by many! Once you get past the astonishing taste of chocolate that almost consumes you, you will discover that it actually borders on being a healthy food.
Raw cacao beans and processed ones have exceptionally high antioxidant properties and dark chocolate comes very close. Dark chocolate is made from raw cacao beans which are a rich source of flavanols, a subcategory of a larger group of phytochemicals known as flavonoids which are essentially antioxidants.
What flavonoids essentially do is work against free radicals by inhibiting harmful changes in the body. Flavanols have a bitter taste, so the less bitter your chocolate is, the fewer of these antioxidants it contains. It’s these flavanols that improve vascular function, enhance cognitive function, and provide ultraviolet protection for the skin. Dark chocolate also has a high concentration of an alkaloid called theobromine, which is also found in coffee. Theobromine has stimulant properties and relaxing effects. It can dilate blood vessels and lower blood pressure. And if that is not enough, dark chocolate is also rich in soluble fiber, antioxidants, fiber, iron, magnesium, copper, manganese, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, and selenium.
If taste is not reason enough to stuff yourself with perfectly shaped cubes of dark chocolate, here are 6 other fantastic reasons.
Research suggests that the high magnesium content in dark chocolate can help reduce blood pressure. Studies also suggest that eating dark chocolate increases nitric oxide levels in the body. Nitric oxide is a substance naturally found in the body that acts on small receptors in our blood vessels and helps them to dilate, thus lowering overall blood pressure. A 2012 Australian study found that people who ate dark chocolate for a short period saw a drop in blood pressure of 2 millimeters of mercury.
Studies show that moderate amounts of dark chocolate can lower LDL which is the bad cholesterol and increase HDL which is the good cholesterol. This in turn helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke. Here’s how: LDL builds up along the inside of arteries, forming plaque deposits and narrowing arteries. This condition can lead to a heart attack. So if dark chocolate can reduce LDL, it can ultimately reduce the risk of heart attack.
It can help you focus, sharpen your memory, and protect your brain from aging. In 2012, researchers at the University of Nottingham found that eating dark chocolate increases blood flow in certain key areas of the brain for at least a few hours, which directly leads to increased task performance and overall alertness. Another 2013 study published in the journal Neurology found that daily consumption of dark chocolate (in moderate amounts, of course) can improve memory by nearly 30% and also enhance problem-solving abilities.
A 2015 study found that dark chocolate promotes a healthy heart. The study conducted by researchers at Wageningen University in the Netherlands discovered that dark chocolate restores artery flexibility and, at the same time, prevents white blood cells from sticking to the walls of blood vessels. In 2014, another study presented at the American Chemical Society (ACS) found that when you eat dark chocolate, gut bacteria in the stomach ferment it into anti-inflammatory compounds that benefit the heart. A 2015 study published in the Journal Heart suggests that a significant amount of chocolate every day can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke.
Research shows that dark chocolates have a high satiety value and therefore make you feel full longer. They are rich in MUFAs (monounsaturated fatty acids) which are known to boost metabolism and burn fat. When consumed in moderate amounts, dark chocolate is known to slow down the digestion process and curb hunger.
A 2012 study conducted by the University of California examined the diet of 1000 Americans finding that those who ate dark chocolate a few times a week were on average slimmer than those who ate it occasionally. The researchers went on to say that although dark chocolate is calorie-dense, it contains ingredients that may promote weight loss. Another study stated that if you eat dark chocolate as a dessert after meals, it is likely to reduce weight gain.
Source Ndtv
