We all have cravings and long for different delicacies that bring joy to our heart. Even though most of the delicacy or foods that we long in the cravings might not be very healthy for our body, there is one item that is. Chocolates, especially dark chocolate is one thing that I guess majority of people like and engross in eating. It is one stop solution to meet the craving demands and also to improve your mood. Many individuals have it in their fridge all the time or just stock it up. But have you ever wondered it is healthy for you or not? Just to solve your doubt, it is quite healthy, and if you want to know more, read this article for health benefits of dark chocolate.
Health Benefits of Eating Dark Chocolate
We spoke with Ms. Shilpa Singh, Clinical Nutritionist from Fatima Hospital, Lucknow to know about nutritional value and benefits of dark chocolate. Dark chocolate is actually loaded with positive health nutrients such as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Here are some other major benefits that it can have on your health-
1. High in nutritional content
If you have good quality dark chocolate that has pure cocoa more than 70%, then it could be really provide nutritional benefits to your body. It contains a decent amount of fiber and is loaded with minerals. It also has other nutritional compounds such as potassium, phosphorus, zinc and selenium.
A 100 gram bar of dark chocolate with 70-85% can contain-
- 11 grams of fiber
- 67% of daily vitamin for iron
- 58% of DV for magnesium
- 89% of the DV for copper
- 98% of DV for manganese
It also has some moderate amount of sugar in them and they can contain up to 600 calories in a day, that is too much for a chocolate. But it also contains fatty acids, dark chocolate and oleic acid which is beneficial for your health.
2. Rich Source of antioxidants
One of the benefits that is known to a comparatively large population about dark chocolate is its rich source of antioxidants present in the diet. Oxygen radical absorbance capacity is the measure of antioxidant activity present in foods. It also contains foods that can disarm the free radicals and can cause positive effect on the body. Antioxidants help the body to provide immunity against the infection and contains active ingredients.
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3. Improves Blood Flow and Lower Blood Pressure
The flavanols present in the dark chocolate helps to stimulate endothelium that is helpful for nerves in the body. It contains arteries that produce nitric oxide that enhance functions of blood flow resistance. This can reduce your blood pressure in the body and can improve your blood flow as well. People with high blood pressure show no particular effect that might take up grain of salt.
4. It raises HDL and protect LDL cholesterol from oxidation
Consuming dark chocolate can actually help to improve HDL cholesterol. It also lowers the LDL levels that benefits men in most cases. Cocoa powder can reduce several risks of heart diseases and can decreased oxidized LDL cholesterol in people.
LDL can participate in damaging other tissues such as lining of the arteries inside your heart. Cocoa can protect your lipoproteins against oxidative damage that happens in your body. The flavanols in dark chocolate helps to reduce insulin resistance and can even prevent you from falling for diseases such as diabetes and heart failure.
5. Protects your skin from sun
The bioactive compounds present in dark chocolate can be of great help to your skin. It can protect you from sun damage, improve blood flow in skin and increase skin density as well as hydration. The minimal erythemal dose is the minimum amount of UVB ways that cause redness on the skin in 24 hours post exposure. If you are planning a vacation, then you can consider eating some extra dark chocolate in prior weeks to improve your skin care routine.
Also Read- 8 Staple Foods That You Must Have In Kitchen For Healthy Nutrition
6. Improves Brain function
Dark chocolate can also improve the functions of your brain. Dark chocolate that contains high flavanols that can improve blood flow in the brain. Cocoa also significantly has a positive impact on the cognitive functions of the brain. Dark chocolate can be especially beneficial for older adults with mild cognitive impairment. It also improves verbal fluency and several risk factors as well. Cocoa contains stimulant substances like caffeine and theobromine that can be key of brain health.
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