What Are The Health Benefits Of Dark Chocolate

Dark chocolate is the most useful among chocolates - you are certainly familiar with this. It has a positive effect on health and is one of the best sources of antioxidants on the planet, thanks to the cocoa beans from which it is made.

Studies show that dark chocolate can improve your health and reduce your risk of heart disease.

Nutritional value

100 grams of dark chocolate with a percentage of cocoa between 70-85% contains:

• 604 calories
• 7.87 grams of protein
• 43.06 grams of fat
• 46.36 grams of carbohydrates
• 11 grams of fiber
• 24.23 grams of sugar
• 12.02 milligrams of iron
• 230 milligrams of magnesium
• 3.34 milligrams of zinc

The fats in dark chocolate are mostly saturated and monounsaturated, with small amounts of polyunsaturated fats.

It also contains stimulants such as caffeine and theobromine, but could not act like coffee because the amounts are much smaller.

Health benefits of dark chocolate

Dark chocolate has a good effect on people who try to quit smoking. It is useful for people suffering from cardiovascular diseases, 100 grams of the product improve the work of blood vessels in adults. The benefits of this chocolate for the face, body and hair, as well as its rejuvenating properties should not be underestimated.

Antioxidants neutralize free radicals, which maintain normal heart function and prevent cells from aging.

Dark chocolate is very useful, especially if you consume one with high percentages of cocoa. Cocoa beans are among the most powerful antioxidants in the world - they contain polyphenols, flavonols, catechins and others. Dark chocolate and cocoa beans have the most powerful antioxidant properties compared to all fruits, including blueberries and acai berry, which are considered to be among the leaders in beneficial properties.

Dark chocolate does not contain milk, is high in iron and contains cocoa, which has a beneficial effect on blood cholesterol levels.

In a controlled study, cocoa was found to significantly lower bad LDL cholesterol, increase good cholesterol, and generally affect total cholesterol levels.

Good blood circulation and lowering bad cholesterol help the heart to do its job much easier and calmer, thus improving its health. A study found that consuming chocolate twice a week reduced the risk of plaque buildup in the arteries and reduced the risk of heart disease.

The bioactive compounds in dark chocolate can also be great for your skin. Flavonols can protect against sun damage, improve blood flow to the skin and increase its density and hydration.

A study of healthy volunteers showed that consuming high-flavanol cocoa for five days improved blood flow to the brain. It also improves cognitive function in the elderly.

It has been found that a few pieces of dark chocolate a day help fight chronic fatigue syndrome by stimulating the release of the hormone of happiness - endorphins, which elevate mood, increase tone, help increase performance and concentration.

Just because you have diabetes doesn't mean you have to give up everything you love. It is really necessary to monitor the amount of sugar that is added to the chocolate, even if it is dark.

Dark chocolate helps lower insulin resistance.

Quantities of 20-30 grams per day of dark chocolate are considered healthy. In order to be as healthy as possible, it is good to choose chocolate with a minimum of 70% cocoa.

Contraindications

This chocolate is not suitable for children. Cocoa beans contain nitrogenous substances that damage metabolic processes. For people suffering from diabetes and obesity, this product is contraindicated.