Let’s face it: chocolate is one of the most decadent treats there is. Chocolate, whether as a candy bar, in a hot drink, or drizzled over ice cream, always brings joy.
Although chocolate is delectable, it is not always nutritious or even genuine chocolate. White chocolate, for example, is devoid of cocoa solids. That means it’s more of a dessert than anything else.
To be considered “dark chocolate,” chocolate must contain at least 50% cocoa solids, cocoa butter, and sugar, but it does not contain milk, unlike milk chocolate, except in trace amounts that may occur during production due to cross-contamination. The darker the chocolate, the higher the cocoa solids content and the greater the potential health benefits.
But did you know that? There are numerous health benefits to dark chocolate. A daily bite of dark chocolate may not only be good for your heart, but it may also improve brain function, relieve stress, and reduce your risk of diabetes.
Here are seven important health benefits of dark chocolate or cocoa:
Full of nutrition
Dark chocolate is high in nutrients. If you buy high-quality dark chocolate with a high cocoa content, it will have a good amount of soluble fibre and minerals. The darker the chocolate, of course, the better, but any 70% dark chocolate or higher contains antioxidants, fibre, potassium, calcium, copper, and magnesium.
Cocoa and dark chocolate have an excellent fatty acid profile. The fats are mostly made up of oleic acid (a heart-healthy fat found in olive oil), stearic acid, and palmitic acid.
It also has a lot of calories and fat, so keep an eye on your daily intake. Each chocolate brand is also processed differently.
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Good for heart
Separate studies have shown that dark chocolate may provide a variety of benefits that, when combined, may protect against cardiovascular disease. Dark chocolate consumption can improve several important risk factors for heart disease. Dark chocolate has anti-inflammatory and antithrombotic properties, which can help prevent blood clots, as well as antihypertensive properties, which can help lower blood pressure.
Dark chocolate compounds appear to be highly protective against LDL oxidation.
In the long run, this should result in much less cholesterol accumulating in the arteries, lowering the risk of heart disease.
However, because the biological process is known (lower blood pressure and oxidised LDL), it’s possible that eating dark chocolate on a regular basis may reduce the risk of heart disease.
Powerful source of antioxidants
Dark chocolate contains a high concentration of organic compounds that are biologically active and act as antioxidants. Polyphenols, flavanols, and catechins are a few examples.
Flavonoids, which are plant chemicals that act as antioxidants and may play a role in cancer prevention and heart health, are found in dark chocolate. Cocoa contains significantly more antioxidants than green tea or red wine. The darker the chocolate, the more antioxidants it contains; however, there must be a balance between eating palatable dark chocolate and reaping the health benefits. Antioxidants neutralise free radicals and protect the body from oxidative stress.
Lower blood pressure
Dark chocolate, according to research, may help lower blood pressure. Flavanols in dark chocolate stimulate nitric oxide production in the body. Nitric oxide dilates (widens) blood vessels, increasing blood flow and decreasing blood pressure.
Endothelial cells help control the vascular system and the flow of blood throughout the body by forming a thin membrane inside the heart and blood vessels. In the study, people who ate dark chocolate for a week had better endothelial function and lower blood pressure. As a result, it could be a low-cost and effective component for hypertensive patients’ blood pressure control.
Reduce risk of diabetes
Eating chocolate every day may not sound like the best way to prevent diabetes, but studies have shown that eating healthy amounts of dark chocolate rich in cacao as part of a healthy diet can actually improve how the body metabolizes glucose.
Dark chocolate contains flavanols that have been shown to reduce risk factors associated with insulin resistance. These beneficial effects of insulin resistance may, in the long run, reduce the risk of diabetes.
Improving brain function
Eating dark chocolate may improve brain function and help prevent neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. It’s also beneficial to cognition [understanding thought] because it increases blood flow to the brain. The flavanols in dark chocolate may improve neuroplasticity, or the brain’s ability to reorganise itself in response to injury or disease.
Good for your skin
Dark chocolate’s bioactive compounds may also be beneficial to your skin. Flavonols can protect the skin from sun damage, increase blood flow to the skin, and improve skin density and hydration. Consider eating more dark chocolate in the weeks and months leading up to your beach vacation. However, before abandoning your regular skin care routine in favour of more dark chocolate, consult your doctor or dermatologist. Dark chocolate’s antioxidants improve blood flow to the skin and protect it from sun damage.
