Calling all chocolate lovers and health enthusiasts! This week, we’ve got news that’s pretty sweet.
What if we told you that dark chocolate comes with a treasure trove of health benefits? Yes, you heard it right, the rumors are true – dark chocolate IS good for you… in moderation. Before you begin stuffing your face with this delicious and rich goodness, let’s delve into the advantages of dark chocolate while being mindful of the necessary safeguards.
What is it in Dark Chocolate that makes it good for you? Dark chocolate contains cocoa, which is rich in flavanols, plant chemicals that are rich in antioxidants, may lower inflammation, and improve your cholesterol. If you are diabetic or obese, calories and amount of sugar need to be considered before you indulge. Even dark chocolate can be high in calories and contribute to weight gain, so it’s important to consume it in moderation for a well-balanced diet. In a day, the recommended portion of dark chocolate to eat per day is about 30-60 grams. That equates to about two to four small squares.
What is considered Dark Chocolate? Dark Chocolate contains 50-90% cocoa solids, cocoa butter, and sugar. It does NOT contain milk. The darker the chocolate, the more beneficial it is to your health. To get the most benefit from consuming dark chocolate, you should find ones that contain 70-80% cocoa and the least amount of sugar.
Five health benefits of Dark Chocolate:
- It’s rich in disease-fighting antioxidants. Think of antioxidants as little warriors in your body that protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals.
- It helps guard against heart diseases. The anti-inflammatory effects in dark chocolate can help control chronic inflammation which is what leads to cardiovascular disease. While research suggests that dark chocolate can positively impact your heart health, still, the best way to benefit your heart is through maintaining a healthy body weight and exercising three to four times a week.
- It can assist in lowering your blood pressure. Nitric oxide can be produced by the flavanols in dark chocolate, causing blood vessels to relax and blood pressure to decrease.
- It can improve your vision. Early tests have detected an improvement in vision 2 hours after consumption of dark chocolate in comparison to people who ate milk chocolate.
- It can help reduce your risk of Diabetes. The flavanols in dark chocolate may reduce risks associated with insulin resistance which can reduce your risk of diabetes in the long run.
Next time you indulge in a delicious dark chocolate bar, remember all the antioxidants, and benefits it has because that is the sweetest victory of it all.
