Dark Chocolate Benefits – 15 Amazing Health Benefits Of Dark Chocolate

15 Amazing Health Benefits Of Dark Chocolate

• Improvement of cognitive functions

Cocoa regular consumption could benefit brain functions, verbal fluency, and cognitive functions in older people with some intellectual disability. On the other hand, dark chocolate contains substances that stimulate the nervous system (CAFFEINE and THEOBROMINE), helping us stay alert and improve brain function in the short term.

Consider that although it is a very nutritious food, and it is also caloric. So, you should limit its intake according to your daily energy requirements.

• It is anti-fatigue

Dark chocolate may have a mild stimulating effect due to caffeine and theobromine, so it should be avoided in the evening in people with a sensitivity to caffeine. Indeed, it could then decrease drowsiness and increase attention. The presence of magnesium, known for its anti-stress effects, reinforces this anti-fatigue effect.

• Dark chocolate lifts the mood

Dark chocolate makes you happy! If your body lacks SEROTONIN, the happiness hormone, enjoying dark chocolate brings you back into balance and puts you in a good mood. However, this is probably less related to its ingredients: Although dark chocolate contains tryptophan, like many other protein-containing foods, it stimulates serotonin formation – the concentration of tryptophan is perhaps too low to have noticeable effects.

However, this is no less important; children associated with dark chocolate may have positive feelings since childhood. After consuming it, they will automatically feel more comfortable eating chocolate years later.

• Protection against free radicals

One of the essential benefits of dark chocolate is its ability to fight free radicals. Free radicals are imbalanced compounds created by the body’s cellular processes, especially those that fight environmental toxins to which we are exposed daily. Antioxidants help to annul the effect of free radicals and protect the body from damage. Antioxidants contain vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals.

The high antioxidant nature of dark chocolate is one of its most impressive attributes. FLAVONOIDS and POLYPHENOLS are two groups of antioxidants found in dark chocolate, making it one of the most antioxidant-rich foods. Thus, the higher the percentage of cocoa present in the chocolate you consume, the more antioxidants you will consume.

• Dark chocolate strengthens the heart

The flavonoids in dark chocolate can also help reduce the risk of a heart attack. As soon as the heart muscle’s oxygen decreases too much, these ingredients increase blood flow and ensure better blood flow.

• The virtues of potassium

Potassium intake is essential for our organism. Mineral salts are indeed necessary to regulate body water, but above all, they are involved in muscle contraction and nerve regulation.

Potassium is responsible for the action inside cells, and sodium, which acts together, plays a role outside these cells. Their combined effort allows nerve transmissions to muscles.

Potassium is also a determining factor in preventing cardiovascular disease and brain risks. As part of the practice of bodybuilding, it will help you avoid muscle cramps.

• Good for athletes

The amount of magnesium that has chocolate helps athletes level the components they require for their physical activity. The result is reflected in muscular strengthening and an energy supply that allows the most continuous and constant movement.

• Good for total cholesterol profile

The cocoa butter found in dark chocolate is made up of oleic acid (a monounsaturated fatty acid ), acid stearic, and palmitic acid. The latter two are saturated fatty acids, but stearic acid does not affect cholesterol. Although palmitic acid can raise it, only a small part of lipids are present in dark chocolate. Dark chocolate helps to control individuals’ cholesterol by increasing HDL high-density lipoprotein cholesterol amount, good for health.

• Anti-stress properties

Chocolate also has anti-stress properties.  It is comfort food that distresses and gives us a good mood. All this is because it contains magnesium, a relaxing substance, and molecules close to endorphins that are said to be “euphoric” (PHENYLETHYLAMINE and TRYPTOPHAN). Therefore, it has an antidepressant role: it also contains caffeine, toning effects, serotonin, an anti-stress neurotransmitter.

• Dark chocolate helps to lose weight

Chocolate would not make you fat and could even contribute to weight loss, as long as it is dark chocolate. Even if it is high in calories, dark chocolate does indeed contain a high catechin level, an antioxidant that promotes weight loss and muscle refining.

• It’s good for your teeth

Dark chocolate supplements with good daily hygiene and a moderate amount could contribute to dental health.  Indeed, it contains a substance called theobromine that is recommended for hardening tooth enamel. Dark chocolate is good for tooth enamel and helps prevent cavities. It has “STREPTOCOCCUS MUTANS,” a bacterium that determines acid production that causes cavities and is contrasted by the antioxidants in cocoa, limiting acid production.

• Dark chocolate helps with iron deficiency

Who would have thought that dark chocolate contains significantly more iron than, for example, spinach: With a quantity of 100grams, chocolate contains around 7mg, spinach is only half. So if you want to improve your iron levels, you are welcome to take advantage of dark chocolate. Just one piece contributes to a percentage of the daily iron requirement.

• It is satiating food

One of the main advantages of plain chocolate is that you don’t need to eat large amounts to feel full. In addition to helping us feel full, this food also has a high percentage of fiber, so that with a small part of it, you can feed a craving and even avoid the consumption of other more caloric foods that can make you gain weight.

• Dark chocolate protects the arteries

The plant substances contained in the cocoa beans expand the vessels and ensure that the blood flows unhindered. If you suffer from hardening of the arteries (arteriosclerosis) and the associated walking difficulties, dark chocolate with at least 70% COCOA is a useful aid.

If you consume them regularly, however, you should limit the consumption of other sweets. Simultaneously, make sure you get enough exercise (for example, going for a walk) and taking dental care incredibly seriously, as chocolate easily sticks to your teeth.

• Anti-aging power

The bioactive components of dark chocolate act as a protective factor against the adverse effects of ultraviolet radiation; the sun is one of the main elements of premature aging. In this way, cocoa can be an excellent ally to improve the texture, density, thickness of the skin, and prevent wrinkles’ early appearance. It also reduces water loss, promotes collagen formation, and contributes to cellular hydration for firmer and smoother skin.

So, is dark chocolate right for you? Most definitely, yes, as long as you choose the right product. Choose quality over quantity to reap the impressive benefits of dark chocolate. Dark chocolate consumed in moderate amounts can improve health.

With all of its organic and health-promoting components like POLYPHENOLS and FLAVONOLS, dark chocolate is a powerful antioxidant and a superfood. You’d be wrong to deprive yourself of it. It has been shown to boost heart and brain health while fighting various illnesses, just a few of the many dark chocolate benefits. So go ahead, indulge yourself, and do your body right with a delicious piece of dark chocolate.