Absolutely nothing can be solved with a slab of good old chocolate. Whether you are 5 or 50, everyone appreciates this delicious treat. White, milk, and dark chocolate are the three basic types sold, and all three are equally popular.
However, in this article, we will focus on dark chocolate health benefits and how it became known as a household brand.
The cocoa plant, found mainly in West Africa, South America and Australia, is the source of chocolate.
Milk chocolate, once reserved for the wealthy and the aristocracy, has gained popularity in European countries. They began to experiment with dark chocolate by successively adding sugar, milk and honey.
However, the 20th century was the first to restore the domination of dark chocolate by highlighting its many nutritional and physiological advantages.
Nutrition Facts Dark Chocolate
- 100 grams of dark chocolate with a cocoa content of 70-85%
- 604 calories
- grams of carbs
- 11 g of dietary fibre, 24.23 g of sugar and 43.06 g of fat
- 7.87g protein
- 12.02mg iron
- 230.00mg Magnesium
- Metal: 3.34mg
Dark Chocolate Nutrition Facts
It is rich in flavonoids and antioxidants, which help prevent oxidative cell damage and reduce inflammation. Together, these can help cure Alzheimer’s disease and potentially fight diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disorders.
A person must drink dark chocolate containing at least 70% cocoa to get these health benefits. The recommended daily intake of this delicious delicacy is around 30-40 grams.
If someone eats more than that, they may eat too many calories and more caffeine, which can make them nauseous, make their heart beat faster, and keep them awake.
According to a study reported in the Journal of Nutritional Science in 2016dark chocolate contains phytonutrients known as flavonoids, which are plant compounds that function as antioxidants and may have positive effects on cardiovascular health and cancer prevention.
What sets dark chocolate apart from other chocolate flavors?
This chocolate is made in a somewhat different way than other types. Although the ingredients – cocoa liquor, milk powder and sugar – are the same as in its other variants, the quantities used may differ.
In other words, dark chocolate often has a higher cocoa content, which can vary from 30 to 85%. The main difference between dark, milk and white chocolate – which makes it a sweet and sour mix – is this.
7 Proven Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate
Now, enjoying this sweet and sour delight can be a benefit of having a sweet taste. Many studies using solid data have shown how healthy and nutrient-dense dark chocolate is.
Let’s explore its possible benefits:
1. Chocolate reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease
Worldwide, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death. High blood pressure and cholesterol levels are the most common causes of this disease. Fruits and vegetables help prevent CVD because they are rich in flavonoids, according to some epidemiological studies. Likewise, the high flavonoid content of cocoa has been shown to reduce the risk of CVD.
2. Chocolate protects cells from damage
An excellent source of antioxidants is dark chocolate. These antioxidants protect against tissue damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are chemical species that the body produces as a byproduct of its metabolism when it is under stress, causing the body to pump more blood.
However, problems can arise if free radical levels are consistently high. To prevent cell damage, antioxidants neutralize the effects of free radicals. In addition, it helps in the treatment of diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and cancer.
3. Chocolate candies The Depression
Dark chocolate is linked to a reduced risk of depression in addition to the pleasure it provides when consumed. People who consume 24 grams or less of dark chocolate each day have been shown to experience antidepressant benefits.
The combination of flavonoids, known to improve mood, theobromine, which provides energy, N-acylethanolamines, a fatty acid with euphoric properties, and phenylethylamine which can alleviate depression (triggers dopamine).
4. Chocolate reduces the risk of diabetes
Dark chocolate contains polyphenols, a natural chemical with antioxidant characteristics that reduce insulin resistance. In turn, this could help type 2 diabetics manage their blood sugar levels.
In addition, to research who has been published shows that people who rarely ate dark chocolate had a much higher risk of getting diabetes over the next five years than people who ate dark chocolate at least once a week.
5. The skin is protected from sun damage by chocolate
It not only causes the body to create happy hormones, but it also makes your skin happy. Vitamins A, B1, C, D, and E, as well as minerals and nutrients like calcium, iron, copper, magnesium, selenium, manganese, and zinc, are all abundant in dark chocolate.
Together they protect your skin from UV rays, reduce inflammation and blemishes, stimulate collagen formation, and more. It additionally has anti-inflammatory qualities that soothe inflamed skin.
6. Chocolate promotes weight loss
Dark chocolate can help with weight loss when consumed in moderation. It is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, which help to speed up your metabolism and reduce your body fat. Consuming dark chocolate 20 minutes before a meal has been shown to reduce feelings of hunger.
the antioxidants and magnesium in dark chocolate have an unusual side effect: they reduce pain, which encourages people to move. This could be an added benefit for those struggling with weight loss.
How dark chocolate can help with weight loss
Here are five rationales for making dark chocolate your everyday sweet treat:
- increased metabolism
- stop an insulin surge
- prevents food cravings
- promotes exercise
- provides a happy high
Side effects of dark chocolate
The amount of caffeine in one ounce of 70% cocoa dark chocolate is approximately 20-25 mg. Consuming too much dark chocolate can increase the amount of caffeine in the blood, which can make you feel sick, dehydrated, and sleepy.
Between 30 and 60 grams of dark chocolate per day is considered optimal. Additionally, people with diabetes can talk to their doctor before planning their daily meals.
Carry
There is plenty of data to suggest that dark chocolate may have health benefits.
However, this does not mean that you should consume more than recommended. It contains many nutrients, but only moderate consumption will make it useful. This indulgent dessert can be enjoyed while providing benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What are the disadvantages of dark chocolate?
Consuming too much dark chocolate can increase the amount of caffeine in the blood, which can make you feel sick, dehydrated, and sleepy.
2. Does dark chocolate help sleep?
Dark chocolate contains a necessary ingredient that helps regulate the biological clock, so eating it at night can help you fall asleep more easily.
3. Does dark chocolate raise cholesterol?
Due to the presence of stearic acid in dark chocolate, chocolate has been said to not raise blood cholesterol. Unfortunately, there are also saturated fats in dark chocolate, and these raise cholesterol.
References:
- AN Panche,1,2 AD Diwan,2,* and SR Chandra, December 2016, Flavonoids: an overview
- Georgina E Crichton 1, Merrill F Elias 2, Peter Dearborn 3, Michael Robbins, January 2017, Usual Chocolate and type 2 diabetes mellitus in the Maine-Syracuse longitudinal study: (1975-2010): prospective observations