8 Healthy Reasons to Eat Dark Chocolate

Dark chocolate can be a healthy addition to a balanced diet. There are a lot of nutrients in dark chocolate that can help your health. It is one of the best sources of antioxidants that you can find and is made from the seed of the cacao tree. The cacao tree also contains a compound called theobromine, which can help in the reduction of inflammation and potentially lower blood pressure.

Dark chocolate has been shown to improve health and reduce the risk of heart disease, improve brain function, alleviate stress, and lower the risk of diabetes. Moreover, Dark chocolate contains phytonutrients called flavonoids, which are plant chemicals that act as antioxidants.

Healthy Reasons to Eat Dark Chocolate

It is not advisable to consume on an empty stomach. Additionally, they can be consumed as a snack between meals. One or two blocks of dark chocolate ought to be sufficient at any given time. However, you must exercise caution when selecting chocolates for yourself. Instead, go for good quality dark chocolate that is rich in fiber, iron, magnesium, copper, manganese, and a few other minerals that have at least 70% cocoa in it.

Let's discuss some super healthy reasons to eat dark chocolates −

Contains Antioxidants

Antioxidants protect your body from heart ailments, cancer, and other diseases. This is because they counteract the adverse effects of free radicals, which are unstable oxygen molecules thought to be responsible for aging and disease. They prevent oxidative damage by neutralizing free radicals. The body produces a lot of free radicals, which harm cells and tissues and cause oxidative stress. Furthermore, oxidative stress aids the aging process.

Improves Heart Health

Flavanols can stop the oxidation of LDL, which is bad cholesterol, effectively. They also reduced calcified atherosclerotic plaque in the coronary arteries, according to one study. Therefore, you should have a lower long-term risk of heart disease and significantly less cholesterol in your arteries if you consume dark chocolate a few times per week.

According to research, consuming chocolate at least twice a week lowers the risk of developing calcified plaque in the arteries.

Rich in Nutrients

Cocoa has plenty of Nutrients. Manganese, copper, magnesium, iron, selenium, zinc, and potassium are found in great quantity in dark chocolates. However, it is always advised to consume dark chocolates in moderation.

Good for Your Skin

Dark chocolate increases blood flow to the skin, which in turn increases skin density and hydration. The minimal erythemal dose (MED) is the minimum amount of UVB rays required to cause redness in the skin 24 hours after exposure. The flavonols can protect the skin from damage from the sun, improve blood flow to the skin, and increase skin density and hydration.

Improves Mood

According to research, chocolate increases neural activity in areas of the brain associated with pleasure and reward, reducing stress and elevating mood. Cacao organic chocolate increases neuroplasticity, or the capacity of the brain to create new synaptic connections, which may have beneficial effects on memory, cognition, and mood.

Reduces the Risk of Heart Disease

Eating dark chocolate regularly may lower a person's risk of developing heart disease. Flavonols, one of the compounds found in dark chocolate, have an impact on two major risk factors for heart disease: high cholesterol and blood pressure.

Insulin Resistance

The hormone insulin plays a role in regulating blood sugar (glucose) levels. The body's cells don't respond to insulin normally when they have insulin resistance. Because it is difficult for glucose to enter cells, it accumulates in the blood. It may eventually result in Type2 diabetes. When the body's cells stop responding to the hormone insulin, insulin resistance occurs.

Insulin resistance can lead to prediabetes and type2 diabetes when blood glucose levels are too high. Regular dark chocolate consumption each day may help lower fasting glucose levels and reduce insulin resistance.

Anti-inflammatory Effects

The body's natural immune response to germs and other harmful substances is inflammation. Chronic inflammation, on the other hand, has the potential to harm cells and tissues and raise the risk of some diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, arthritis, and some types of cancer. Dark chocolate contains anti-inflammatory compounds that may assist in reducing body inflammation.

Conclusion

Dark chocolates are rich in antioxidants and minerals. Dark chocolate can help reduce the risk of heart disease, reduce inflammation and insulin resistance, increase the diversity of the gut microbiome, and improve brain function, according to some research.

The good side is that dark chocolate helps stimulate the production of endorphins and also contains the mood-stabilizing hormone serotonin, so it can boost your mood. It is high in fat and calories and healthy vitamins and minerals, so moderation is essential for those who want to include it in their diet.