Your stomach will especially benefit from dark chocolate. It supplies energy and encourages the development of certain “good” bacteria in the stomach.
However, some chocolates are healthier for us than others. Scientific research indicates that only certain dark chocolate, in specific amounts, may provide noticeable advantages. Dark chocolate’s cocoa content varies substantially.
Compared to green tea or red wine, dark chocolate contains several times more antioxidants. Additionally, it has ingredients that might help you manage insulin better, decrease blood pressure, lower cholesterol, and boost brain function.
However, some dark chocolate also contains significant amounts of chemicals and processed sugar.
This article examines possible advantages of dark chocolate. It also covers how much to eat and what to look for while buying.
Advantages of dark chocolate for health
There are a lot of possible health advantages to eating high-quality dark chocolate. Unfortunately, there are many health fallacies about chocolate, which makes it difficult for scientists to investigate it since some of its components could work against it.
Tim Spector, a co-founder of ZOE and a renowned scientist at King’s College London, explained that chocolate “comes from a plant that is fermented to give it great complexity, so it’s a mixture of fiber and protein, and lots of essential nutrients and defense chemicals called polyphenols.”
What effects do the chemicals in dark chocolate have on your body specifically? Find nine advantages of dark chocolate for your health below.
Fiber and minerals
There are several important nutrients in dark chocolate that has at least 70% cocoa. However, it’s crucial to remember that chocolate also includes carbohydrates and saturated fats.
Giving out antioxidants
Some foods include antioxidants, which may lessen the risk of your body’s cells being harmed.
When something is made, some polyphenols are lost. However, certain cocoa powders contain more antioxidants than red wine, tea, and even so-called super fruits like acai, blueberries, and pomegranates.
One ongoing research is doing a large-scale investigation of the possible antioxidant advantages of chocolate.
The researchers are examining whether ingesting a supplement providing a concentrated dosage of the antioxidants in chocolate improves general health by working with more than 21,000 individuals in the United States.
Boosts blood flow to the male genital
Chocolate contains L-arginine, an amino acid that may be a powerful natural enhancer for both men and women. Nitric oxide and blood flow to the male genital is encouraged, and sensation, desire, and pleasure are also increased. For longer and strong erection male can use Cenforce 100 mg.
Promoting intestinal health
The polyphenols in dark chocolate, like those in fruits, nuts, and seeds, “are like rocket fuel for your gut microbes,” according to Prof. Spector.
A prebiotic is a kind of fiber that your gut bacteria can digest, and cocoa is one of them. ZOE researchers have discovered 15 “good” and 15 “bad” gut flora that are related to better and worse health outcomes, including metabolic and cardiac health.
Your gut flora “generally do like chocolate” if it’s of high quality, has a lot of cocoa, and has few other components, according to Prof. Spector.
The ZOE-at-home test examines your blood fat and blood sugar reactions to various diets, as well as your gut bacteria. Then, we may suggest “gut booster” and “gut suppressor” meals that are optimal for your body and your gut flora.
Promoting blood pressure and heart health
Scientists nevertheless advise additional study into how these chemicals may enhance heart health even though several studies have revealed evidence to support these associations.
Lowering triglyceride levels
Your cholesterol is also helped by polyphenols. According to studies, they not only raise your “good” cholesterol levels, but also lower your “bad” cholesterol levels and raise your total cholesterol levels.
However, if you consume too much dark chocolate, the sugar and saturated fat it contains may raise your cholesterol levels.
Improving brain activity?
The flavanols in dark chocolate have been linked in studies to better brain blood flow, oxygenation, and neuron function.
Additionally, these flavanols are linked to enhanced nerve cell development and activity in parts of the brain connected to memory and learning, particularly the hippocampus.
Flavanols may provide defense against a reduction in brain function and associated diseases including dementia and Alzheimer’s, according to rat research. However, further research is required before we can determine if this holds true for people.
Increasing mood
Many chocolate enthusiasts hold the opinion that chocolate improves mood, and research seems to agree with us.
Dark chocolate’s flavonols encourage endorphin release and promote mental health. Serotonin, a neurotransmitter that improves mood, is also produced by cocoa components.
Some scientists contend that further study is necessary to conclusively connect the components of chocolate to these outcomes. Male can try Fildena 100 purple pill for happy love life.
Skin protection
Consuming dark chocolate that is high in flavanols may assist to protect your skin from UV radiation damage, as well as having a favorable impact on wrinkles and skin suppleness. Antioxidants are excellent skin protectors.
These potential impacts, however, are not as thoroughly documented as some of chocolate’s other advantages.
Additionally, some evidence ties eating chocolate to worse acne in those who are predisposed to it.
Decreased chance of diabetes
Researchers have examined the possibility that flavanols, such as those found in dark chocolate, may reduce the incidence of type 2 diabetes.
The flavanols included in chocolate may have an impact on how your body processes insulin. According to some research, cocoa flavanols may increase the synthesis of insulin, while other findings point to their potential role in lowering insulin resistance.
How much dark chocolate is healthy, exactly?
It matters how much cocoa is in the dark chocolate. The darker the chocolate is and the more health advantages it is predicted to provide, the more cocoa it contains.
The likelihood of additional components in the chocolate decreases as the cocoa percentage rises.
50–90% cocoa is typical for dark chocolate. Also, be in mind that certain chocolates with a black appearance contain a lot of dairy or refined sugar.
There is disagreement about whether chocolate becomes a healthy addition to your diet, but Prof. Spector suggests choosing chocolate that has at least 70% cacao.