Kill your cravings with Dark Chocolate

Of all the treats available, chocolate is one of the most craved foods in the world. Chocolate is the ultimate comfort food, a source which will stand by you in times of stress and depression, a reliable source of consolation when life has let us down, a mood-enhancer and romance-inducer in more positive circumstances. But is it at all healthy?
Well, if you take a lot of it, obviously not. But there are various medical proven ways in which dark chocolate, with cocoa percentage of around 70% or more is really good for us. It is proven that dark chocolate is extremely good for the heart, circulation and brain, is has been suggested that it may be beneficial in such major health challenges as autism, obesity and diabetes.
Dark chocolate is made from the roasted cocoa beans of the cacao tree, fat and sugar. Unlike milk chocolate, dark chocolate less sweet in taste. In fact, the best quality dark chocolate, with cocoa percentages ranging from 70 to 99 percent and has a bitter sweet taste. Not many people are fond of dark chocolate as they are bitter in taste, but are rich source of antioxidants and are healthier milk chocolates. Dark chocolates are also rich in soluble fiber, potassiaum, magnese, zinc, selenium, copper, magnesium and iron. Along with these nutrients, dark chocolate also comes with some calories and moderate amounts of sugar. But when eaten in moderation, dark chocolate can positively affect your health.
You can enjoy it as a piece of candy or add it to smoothies or homemade cakes and muffins. Dark chocolate can be a healthy treat, as long as you choose wisely and eat it in moderation.
Let’s have a look at some amazing health benefits of Dark Chocolates:
Dark Chocolate is a powerful source of AntioxidantCocoa and dark chocolates have a wide variety of powerful antioxidants, way more than most of other foods. Dark chocolate is loaded with organic compounds that are biologically active and function as antioxidant. These include polyphenols, flavanols, catechins and many others. Antioxidants help free your body of free radicals, which cause oxidative damage to cells. Free radicals are implicated in the aging process and may be a cause of cancer, so eating antioxidant rich foods like dark chocolate can protect you from many types of cancer and slow the signs of aging.
Dark Chocolate is good for Your BrainThe good news isn’t over yet. Dark chocolate may also improve the function of the brain. Dark chocolate increases blood flow to the brain as well as to the heart, which helps in improving cognitive function. Dark chocolate also contains several chemical compounds that have a positive effect on your mood and cognitive health. Chocolate contains phenylethylamine, the same chemical your brain creates when you feel like you're falling in love.
Anti-inflammatory qualities of dark chocolates help in treating Brain injuries in older people cause by Flavanols. Dark chocolates improve your verbal fluency prevents you from certain diseases like concussion, brain stroke and many other.
Dark Chocolate prevents your skin from sun
Here is an amazing tips for all the pretty ladies who don’t want to get tan. Aside from sunscreen, you must wrap up yourself with dark chocolate every day to protect you self from harmful UV rays. Make sure the dark chocolates are preserved in flavanol levels. The bioactive compounds in dark chocolate are great for your skin. The flavonols can protect against sun-induced damage, improve blood flow to the skin and increase skin density and hydration. The minimal erythemal dose is the minimum amount of UVB rays required to cause redness in the skin, 24 hours after exposure. If you’re planning on a beach vacation, consider loading up on dark chocolate in the prior weeks and months. Dark Chocolates are very effective when it comes to protecting your skin from sun. This is the reason, salons provide special chocolate facial to keep you skin glowing, radiant and hydrated.
Dark Chocolates help in weight lossDark Chocolates can help you lose weight. Really. One ounce of dark chocolate with between 70 and 85 percent cocoa three times a week can help you lose extra body weight. It is rich in fiber, which helps keep you feeling full for a longer time period. It is also observed that eating dark chocolate in moderation gives you a more filling effect and lessens your cravings for fatty, sweet and salty foods. Also, being rich in antioxidants, dark chocolate can slow down digestion so you feel full longer and eat less at your next meal. It can even revive your metabolism to burn more fat and calories. Most of the gym instructors suggest eating dark chocolates before starting off with the gym. This helps you too boost your energy level and helps in weight loss.
Dark Chocolates can increase blood flow
Forget carrots and green vegetables, dark chocolates can improve your eyesight too. In a recent survey, it was observed that people who consumed dark chocolate with 720 mg of cocoa flavanols experienced enhanced visual performance, like reading low contrast letters. This happens due to the increased blood flow to the retina and brain.
Dark Chocolates reduce high blood pressure
Dark chocolate helps keep your blood vessels healthy and your circulation unimpaired. Dark chocolate can also reduce high blood pressure. Flavanol, a flavonoid present in cocoa, helps lower blood pressure and improve blood flow to your heart. With lower blood pressure, there is also less chance of suffering from many types of heart diseases like heart failure, atrial fibrillation and atherosclerosis. It can even reduce the risk of cognitive decline, dementia and stroke. All you have to do is, have a bite of dark chocolate a day to lower your blood pressure. Make sure you go for the dark chocolate that contains at least 70 percent cocoa.
Dark chocolates are rich in vitamins and minerals
Dark chocolate is packed with number of vitamins and minerals such as potassium, zinc, copper, selenium and a 100g bar of dark chocolate provides 67 per cent of the RDA of iron. The copper and potassium in dark chocolate help prevent against stroke and cardiovascular ailments. The iron in chocolate protects against iron deficiency anemia, and the magnesium in chocolate helps prevent type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.

No comments: