Chocolate is the most loved food in almost all areas of the world. It contains 1500 biochemical and has a positive impact on brain function. Dark chocolate is top of the list when we talk about mental health. There are innumerable health benefits of dark chocolate, and it some something delicious as well as healthy at the same time. Dark chocolate has different nutrients that leave a positive impact on our health. It is one of the good sources of antioxidants that are made from cacao tree seeds. Several studies have shown the effectiveness of dark chocolate to lower the risk of heart disease and improve mental health. Here are some benefits of dark chocolate supported by science.
Reduce Heart Disease Risks:
According to a study in the Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology, consuming foods like dark chocolate will improve cardiovascular health. Dark chocolate has a high content of flavanol with antioxidants, vasodilators, and anti-inflammatory advantages. If you want to know if dark chocolate is good for you, keep in mind that it can increase the production of endothelial nitric oxide which is best to promote the dilation of blood vessels. Therefore, it is ideal to improve cardiovascular function. There are many benefits of dark chocolate for weight loss that are directly associated with a reduction in heart diseases. In addition, dark chocolate is helpful to lower blood pressure, lower LDL cholesterol, and reduce the risk of blood pressure. These are factors that can lead to the risk factors for heart disease. So dark chocolate is highly beneficial to lower the risk of different heart diseases.
Ideal to Protect the Skin:
The best thing about eating dark chocolate is it protects our skin. The flavonoids in dark chocolate help absorb UV light enhancing blood flow to the skin, skin hydration, and improving skin texture. High-quality dark chocolate can fight against oxidative stress and inflammation which helps promote healthful skin. Additionally, several types of research have shown the benefits of dark chocolate to protect our skin against harmful UV light. Therefore, dark chocolate is highly helpful for our skin and is ideal for skipping sunscreen.
Best to Improve Mood:
Consuming dark chocolate is ideal for boosting happiness and celebrations. A study in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology has shown that eating dark chocolate is helpful to improve mood and make you feel calmer. Moreover, it improves the production of endorphins in the brain that create feelings of pleasure. Dark chocolate also has serotonin which is an antidepressant to increase mood. Flavanol in chocolate are ideal to enhance mood effects, and it’s beneficial as a mood booster.
Increase Blood Flow:
The healthy dark chocolate without sugar is ideal for stimulating the endothelium which is helpful to produce nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is useful to send signals to the arteries that lower the blood flow resistance and lower blood pressure. Different studies have proven that cocoa and dark chocolate can improve blood flow with mild effects. However, according to some studies, consuming chocolate does not affect blood pressure. So it’s obvious that more research is needed to make things clear.
Ideal Source of Antioxidants:
Many people are curious to know about the health benefits of dark chocolate, and one of them is it is an ideal source of antioxidants. The oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) is a measure of antioxidant activity. However, unprocessed cocoa beans are one of the highest-scoring foods. Dark chocolate has multiple organic compounds that function as antioxidants. Some of them are catechins, polyphenols, and flavanol. One study showed that dark chocolate has more antioxidant activity than fruits.
Improve Brain Function:
If you want to know if dark chocolate is good for you, you should consider its benefits for brain functionality. According to research, consuming dark chocolate for five days can increase blood flow to the brain. It can also significantly enhance cognitive function in adults by improving verbal fluency. In addition, dark chocolate contains substances like theobromine and caffeine which are key reasons to improve brain function.
Control Food Cravings:
Dark chocolate is one of the ideal sources to control food cravings. The reason is high-quality dark chocolates are extremely satisfying and have been shown to lower cravings for junk food and different fatty and salty food items. Moreover, it will be helpful to make healthy food choices which ultimately results in several benefits of dark chocolate for weight loss. In addition, eating dark chocolate is also significant for satisfying cravings. So you should consume dark chocolate if you want to lose weight and reduce cravings.
Final Verdict:
Different pieces of evidence show the benefits of dark chocolate. It can provide health benefits particularly to protect us against heart disease. However, it doesn’t mean you should consume a lot of dark chocolate in a day because it has several calories. You should eat it in moderation. In addition, you can also use it to make hot cocoa without any sugar and cream. Healthy dark chocolate without sugar will be advantageous in several ways. So dark chocolate is the most nutritious and quality stuff that you should check and give a try. Chocolate is one of the few delicious foods that are ideal for human health. So you should consider several health benefits of dark chocolate to enjoy it to the fullest.
Get Assistance from Nutrigastro:
Everyone is fond of eating healthy food. If you want to enjoy your meal along with catering services, Nutrigastro is the best place for you. You will be served with healthy food according to your requirements. You can call us at any time because we serve our clients 24/7. We are one call away, and our team will ensure the quality of food will be exclusive. So don’t wait further and contact us to get our assistance.