Secret Benefits of Dark Chocolate
Secret Benefits of Dark Chocolate
Everyone remembers the first taste. The bitterness. The sweetness. The yearning.
It was an aid to bid by lonely nights. It was a means to live out the finest times.
What is it that ends every sorrow, heals every pain? What becomes the remedy of the hardest heart break? Dark Chocolate.
The mere sound of the word takes us back down the memory lane. Some days it was shared, some days devoured all alone. Dark Chocolate is not just a comfort food. It reigns supremacy not merely in the realm of your taste buds, but countless years of research proves its healing abilities as well.
Made from small seeds of the cocoa tree, this marvelous superfood can not only make any dessert decadent but is full of great nutrients.The antioxidants present in dark chocolate reduce stress hormones. It lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease. It’s bioactive compounds can improve blood flow in the arteries and decrease blood pressure. And moreover-
Phew! Hold up! That’s comprehensive.
Let’s go over each benefit step by step.
Rich in Nutrients
Dark Chocolate with a high percentage of cocoa (at least 60%) is packed tight with nutrients. A single bar contains fibre , calcium, iron, magnesium,copper,manganese, and potassium.
Moreover, the fats in dark chocolate are mostly saturated or monounsaturated. So you don’t have to worry about the weight at all.
Boosts the Brain
Dark Chocolate increases blood flow to the brain. It stimulates neural activity in areas of the mind associated with pleasure, which helps in reducing stress.
Its daily consumption can increase neuroplasticity in the brain which directly affects memory, mood, and cognition.
Prevents Cancer, Slows Aging
Cocoa and its polyphenols have been reported to interfere with the initiation and progression of cancer. Dark chocolate has more antioxidants than blueberries or any other fruit!
Its antioxidants fight free radicals responsible for aging and diseases. So the next time you feel your hair greying beyond your age, you know what needs to be done.
Aids Weight Loss
It may sound bizarre, but eating chocolate can help in controlling appetite which in turn results in weight loss. High cocoa dark chocolate gives a feeling of satiety.
Due to this, the hormones in your body signal the brain that you are full. Moreover, acting as a prebiotic, it also aids digestion by increasing the growth of good bacteria in your gut.
Prevents Heart Disease & Stroke
Improved cardiovascular health. Dark chocolate does that. High dietary flavonoids (antioxidants) are associated with a lower risk of heart disease.
A study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association showed that a handful of almonds, dark chocolate, and unsweetened cocoa significantly lowered bad cholesterol that can clog your arteries.
Beautifies Skin
Manganese in dark chocolate aids production of collagen, a protein that keeps skin young and healthy-looking. The calcium found in dark chocolate helps in the repair and renewal of the skin.
It is a powerful source of antioxidants that protects your skin from harmful ultraviolet rays. The flavonoids present in the dark chocolate improve the blood flow of your skin and hydrates it as well.
Reducing Risk of Diabetes
Dark chocolate rich in cacao and low in sugar (in moderate amounts) can reduce insulin resistance. Insulin resistance causes high blood glucose and is the reason for type 2 diabetes.
The abundance of flavonoids in dark chocolate has been found to reduce oxidative stress which is the main reason for insulin resistance.
Now. That’s the whole list. There are probably a lot more benefits, but we hope you’re convinced already! In case you’re not, remember that amidst this huge well of knowledge we almost forgot how delicious Dark Chocolate tastes!
We know it tastes a little bitter when you first try it, but most great foods have an acquired taste. You might dislike them initially but soon enough they end up becoming an inseparable part of your tastebuds and diet.
Eating dark chocolate for improving your health is like someone working for you while paying you as well. It’s a win-win situation! So just relax, buy a bar and let the chocolate work for you. All while you enjoy its smooth, great taste.
