Is chocolate bad for you? Well, if it’s dark chocolate, don’t worry as medical researchers have labelled it as a superfood that works wonders for your health. Now, the next question that comes to your mind is how? Read on to find out-
The Blessings Of Dark Chocolate For Your Health
Dark chocolate is heavily- loaded with flavonoids (compounds found in plants) that play a crucial role in the prevention of disease. This is not all. Scientific studies have suggested that this superfood is powered with rich antioxidants with at least 50 to 70 percent cacao that boosts blood flow in your body, improves the health of your gut and mitigates stress. All of these effects impact your health positively and makes your immune system stronger.
What Do Research Studies Reveal?
The thought of chocolate being both delicious and health-friendly is something you will rarely find with other superfoods. The cocoa in dark chocolate and its phenolic compounds build up the body’s resistance to illnesses.
For instance, it is excellent for stubborn coughs and with a recent research conducted by The Imperial College at London, it has been discovered that theobromine (an alkaloid present in cocoa) was much better in suppressing coughs over codeine.
Besides the above, the US National Institute of Health has published a study where it has been revealed that cocoa is a food packed with immunoregulatory properties. It influences the body’s immune system especially when it comes to battling inflammation and the intestinal immune response system.
7 Top Benefits of Including Dark Chocolate In Your Diet
Dark chocolate benefits-
- Reduces cardio-vascular disease- Cocoa is one of the biggest sources of antioxidants across the globe. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition states that the rich flavonoid content of cocoa is linked with a reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases like stroke and heart disease.
- Packed with essential minerals- Most people are so focused with the consumption of macronutrients that they forget about the essential minerals their body actually needs. This leads to several mineral deficiencies in the body.
Cocoa has intense amounts of essential minerals good for your body like iron, magnesium, copper, manganese and riboflavin. They assist in boosting the overall health of your body. For example, magnesium aids the blood vessels to relax, it boosts oxygen circulation and the flow of blood.
- Mood lifter- Have you ever wondered why chocolate is so addictive? Cocoa is rich in theobromine that is a substance that boosts the “feel-good” endorphins in the body. It offers you a pleasurable feeling that is the same as the natural high you experience right after your workout.
Chocolate also has been referred to as a new solution for anxiety stated by a study conducted by “The Journal of Psychopharmacology’ where it has been discovered that people who regularly drink an anti-oxidant rich chocolate beverage are calmer than others.
- Prevents Type-2 Diabetes- Dark chocolate studies have revealed that the polyphenols present in cocoa (an antioxidant associated with improved sensitivity to insulin and the regulation of glucose) helps in the prevention of Type-2 Diabetes.
According to The Journal of Nutrition, food rich in polyphenols play an enhanced role in safeguarding you against Type-2 Diabetes. The reason here being polyphenols play an anti-diabetic effect by curbing the absorption of glucose in the body.
- Boosts the performance of athletes- Cocoa is power-packed with magnesium and its antioxidants aid in the repair and recovery of body muscles. So, if you are an athlete and searching for the ideal recovery drink, go in for a glass of delicious dark -chocolate milk rich with essential minerals and healthy anti-oxidants.
This drink will work magically for your muscles. It helps in the mineralization of bones, contraction of muscle and calms the sensitivity of the body towards pain. This goes the extra mile when it comes to the improvement of nerve function and overall muscle health in your body.
- Reduce blood pressure- Studies reveal consumption of dark chocolate can reduce blood pressure gradually. The flavonoids present in the cocoa helps to increase the production of nitric oxide that helps in opening up the vessels in the blood and allows more oxygen to flow in leading to a reduction in blood pressure.
- An excellent stress buster- In the times of the COVID-19 Pandemic, health experts advise us not to stress and invite mental fear in our minds. Taking necessary precautions against the Pandemic is needed but stress in no way will help anybody today.
In case, you feel the stress sinking in, take a bite of dark chocolate to beat it away. Rich in resveratrol, dark chocolate gives you mental support as it boosts the production of endorphins in the brain. They are popularly called natural opiates in science. Besides endorphins, dark chocolate also boosts serotonin in your brain- this is another magical chemical that alters your mood and is a major antidepressant helping you to mitigate stress.
Therefore, from the above, it is evident that dark chocolate has immense benefits not only for your immunity but for your overall mental and physical health as well. So, the next time, you come across a bar of dark chocolate lying on a supermarket rack, do not feel guilty at all. Pick it up, buy it, eat it with joy and last but not the least, remain healthy and strong in a delicious way!
