The Sweetest Superfood, Dark Chocolate
The health benefits of chocolates have been experienced by people a long time ago. However, these health claims haven’t been confirmed by science until a few years back. Recently, researchers and experts studied intensively dark chocolate and cacao beans. They confirmed its health benefits and revealed as well that dark chocolate is the newest sweet superfood that will take our world by storm.
This is good news to all Chocolate lovers. So what are the discovered and proven benefits of eating dark chocolate? Here are some of its benefits.
o Dark Chocolate keeps Us Away From Heart Diseases. Studies found that a small bar of dark chocolate everyday or three times a week can give us heart health benefits ranging from blood pressure regulation to cholesterol reduction. It has been found that eating dark chocolate can reduce unhealthy cholesterol levels or LDL by 10%. Although dark chocolate is high in fats, most of its fats are healthy such as oleic acid and stearic acid. Oleic acid is the beneficial monounsaturated fat also found in avocados and olive oil. Stearic acid, on the other hand has a neutral impact to cholesterol levels while only palmitic acid which comprises 1/3 of the fats in chocolate, can elevate cholesterol levels and increase our risks to heart diseases.
Dark Chocolate Stimulates our Brain and Improves Mood. Studies revealed that eating dark chocolates triggers the release of endorphins, known as the happy hormones. This hormone improves our mood and makes us feel happier. Besides this, dark chocolate was also found to contain a compound called phenylethylamine(PEA), also known as the love drug or the compound released by the brain when a person is in love. PEA is another mood elevator and an aphrodisiac as well. Dark chocolates also give us a moderate dose of caffeine, a strong brain stimulant.
o Dark Chocolate Helps Fight Depression. Eating dark chocolate has been linked to increase levels of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is one of the important neurotransmitters that fight depression by producing feelings of happiness and well-being. Apart from this, it is believed that since dark chocolate increases serotonin levels in the brain, it might also enhance serotonin production in the gut which is good for immune response. Serotonin is also one of the growth factors for certain types of cells so it may play a part in wound healing.
o Dark Chocolate is a Good Source of Minerals. Dark chocolate is a very good source of magnesium, iron, potassium, copper and theobromine. All these minerals are essential to the normal functioning of the body.
o Dark Chocolate is Rich in Antioxidants. The strong antioxidants discovered by scientists in chocolates are resveratrol, flavonoids and polyphenols. Flavonoids are potent compounds that can eradicate free radicals, substances that contribute to heart diseases and cell damage. Flavonoids in dark chocolate were also found by German researchers to help protect our skin against UV- damage. Resveratrol, on the other hand is the anti-aging compound found in red wines and grapes which can halt early signs of aging.
Although dark chocolate has been proven healthy, we still need to consume it in moderation. Dark chocolate remains to be a high-caloric and a high fat food. If you want to indulge more of it or more than a hundred calories of chocolates, make sure to cut down other sweet foods in your diet.