Health Benefits of Chocolate

 

I love love love Chocolate !! I could eat it every day !! However as we all know we need stay within reason. Its all about modifications and making good choices. So I will tell you that I have really learned to LOVE and appreciate Dark Chocolate.

The best part is that there are some great Health Benefits as well !! Studies show that dark chocolate (not the sugary crap) can improve health and lower the risk of heart disease.

1. Dark Chocolate is packed with Nutrients

The goal is to find chocolate with a high cocoa content.

A 100 gram bar of dark chocolate with 70-85% cocoa contains:

• 11 grams of fiber.
• 67% of the RDA for Iron.
• 58% of the RDA for Magnesium.
• 89% of the RDA for Copper.
• 98% of the RDA for Manganese.
• It also has plenty of potassium, phosphorus, zinc and selenium.

Quality dark chocolate is rich in Fiber, Iron, Magnesium, Copper, Manganese and a few other minerals.

2. Dark Chocolate is packed with Antioxidants

Dark chocolate is loaded with organic compounds that are biologically active and function as antioxidants. These include polyphenols, flavanols, catechins, among others.

One study showed that cocoa and dark chocolate contained more antioxidant activity, polyphenols and flavanols than other fruits they tested, which included blueberries and Acai berries.

3. Dark Chocolate May Improve Blood Flow and Lower Blood Pressure

There are many controlled trials showing that cocoa and dark chocolate can improve blood flow and lower blood pressure, but the effects are usually mild. The bioactive compounds in cocoa can improve blood flow in the arteries and cause a small but statistically significant decrease in blood pressure.

4. Dark Chocolate Raises HDL and Protects LDL Against Oxidation

Consuming dark chocolate can improve several important risk factors for heart disease.

Dark chocolate improves several important risk factors for disease. It lowers the susceptibility of LDL to oxidative damage while increasing HDL and improving insulin sensitivity.

5. Dark Chocolate May Lower The Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

Another study revealed that eating chocolate 2 or more times per week lowered the risk of having calcified plaque in the arteries by 32%. Eating chocolate less frequently had no effect .

Yet another study showed that chocolate 5+ times per week lowered the risk of cardiovascular disease by 57%.

Observational studies show a drastic reduction in heart disease risk for the people who consume the most chocolate.

6. Dark Chocolate May Protect Your Skin Against The Sun

The bioactive compounds in dark chocolate may also be great for your skin. So now is the perfect time to start getting your chocoloate intake in. I have a Cruise planned in March so I will make sure to have plenty of quality Dark Chocolate on hand.

7. Dark Chocolate May Improve Brain Function

What really!! Dark chocolate may also improve the function of the brain. I know that I could definitely use some help with my day to day activities here ! Cocoa contains stimulant substances like caffeine and theobromine, which may be a key reason cocoa can improve brain function in the short term.

SO THE BOTTOM LINE IS THIS

There appears to be some great supporting evidence that cocoa has some fabulous benefits in protecting against  cardiovascular disease.

Does this mean that you should go out every day and eat a ton of chocolate ? NO…You still have to be conscious about how much you consume. Its so delicious that you could easily overeat it. I know personally I like a sweet treat at night. So I love to sit down and savor a piece but I know that I have to limit it to one or two squares.

Also be conscious of the chocolate that you choose. Make sure to choose the good quality stuff ! Look for the chocolate with 70% cocoa or higher content.