Chocolate Is Good For Health, For 9 Reasons
Chocolate is one of the oldest foods. We have begun to consume it more frequently since the false myths that present it as unhealthy food have been dispelled.
Whether in a bar or melted, chocolate provides the body with antioxidants and a wide range of benefits that are worth knowing.
Today many people eat it more frequently and without remorse. Doctors and nutritionists recommend it as a daily dietary supplement as it is a healthy source of energy.
Do you know why chocolate, from being an enemy of health, has become an ally? In this article we present 9 of its benefits.
1. Chocolate lowers blood pressure
The flavonoids contained in dark chocolate stimulate the endothelium, the lining of the arteries, releasing nitric oxide; one of the functions of this gas is to relax the arteries, improving blood flow and thus controlling blood pressure.
2. Improve brain function
Eating chocolate that contains at least 60% cocoa improves cognitive function in those already suffering from brain deterioration. Its ability to stimulate the brain helps reduce the risk of dementia and degenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s.
Thanks to its supply of caffeine and theobromine, it has an immediate effect on the brain and helps improve concentration.
3. Prevents liver disease
Taking a few squares of dark chocolate during the week helps prevent liver disease; all this thanks to the action of cocoa’s antioxidants that reduce cell damage and the presence of toxins due to free radicals.
4. Increase good cholesterol levels
The cocoa, with which this delicious food is elaborated, is composed of stearic acid and oleic acid.
Stearic acid is a type of saturated fat that prevents bad cholesterol from raising its levels in the blood; on the other hand, oleic acid is a monounsaturated fat that has the ability to reduce it.
To this is added an antioxidant substance called polyphenol which increases the presence of good cholesterol.
5. Protects the skin
Many of us deprived ourselves of chocolate in our teens because it was believed to be the main cause of acne. However, this claim has never been proved; on the contrary, it has been found that its regular consumption helps to take care of the skin by protecting it from the damage of UV rays.
Those responsible for these benefits would be the bioactive components contained in it, in particular the flavonoids: these create a protective layer against cell damage caused by the sun, improving circulation in the skin which thus oxygenates itself adequately.
6. Ideal for improving physical performance
Sportsmen eat chocolate as it is an excellent food for training; this is due to its high content of magnesium and essential minerals that strengthen muscles and improve physical performance.
7. Improves the mood
Eating a few squares of chocolate when you are down could be a quick fix to feel good.
The caffeine and other stimulating substances it contains reduce the amount of cortisol in the body by increasing those of endorphin and serotonin.
8. Calms chronic cough
The theobromine contained in chocolate acts directly on the vagus nerve, a part of the brain that can cause chronic coughing attacks; moreover, it helps to soften the mucous membranes of the throat by calming pain and irritation.
9. Fights wrinkles
Bitter chocolate is counted among the 10 best foods suitable for keeping the skin young thanks to its high content of catechin, known for its antioxidant properties. Many cosmetic companies use it as an ingredient in anti-aging treatments.
You can enjoy these interesting properties by eating a few grams of chocolate throughout the week; moreover, it can also be added to homemade beauty treatments.
Finally, we want to remind you that it is very important to know how to choose the right chocolate in order to benefit from all its qualities: the best is dark chocolate, i.e. the one made up of 60 to 80% cocoa.
Milk chocolate is delicious, but sadly, it loses many of its natural benefits.
