Contributed by Healthians Team
Introduction
Absolutely anything can be resolved with a bar of good old chocolate. Whether you are 5 or 50, everyone enjoys this sweet delight. White, milk and dark chocolate are the three basic varieties available, and all three are equally popular.
However, dark chocolate has been proven in scientific studies to be full of antioxidants and nutrients, making it a favoured superfood.
Chocolate comes from the seeds of the cacao plant, which is rich in minerals and antioxidants. Milk chocolate is made using sugar, milk, and cocoa, but in lesser quantities than dark chocolate. Dark chocolate, however, contains much more cocoa and much less sugar than milk chocolate. Numerous studies have proven that dark chocolate can improve your health and lower the risk of heart disease if consumed in adequate amounts.
Listed below are 5 excellent benefits of dark chocolate that will help you with overall health and well-being.
Dark chocolate prevents cardiovascular diseases
One of the major causes of death worldwide is cardiovascular disease (CVD). High blood pressure and cholesterol levels are the most common risk factors for this disease. Studies have found that consuming dark chocolate may provide a variety of benefits that may help prevent cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, dark chocolate has anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic, and antihypertensive properties that help prevent blood clots and maintain healthy blood pressure.
Improves vision
According to studies, eating dark chocolate improves visual skills in young people. The cocoa in dark chocolate is believed to boost blood flow to the brain and retina. This, in turn, can improve the ability to detect motion and see low-contrast letters.
Reduces the risk of Diabetes
Living with diabetes requires regular focus on what you eat and drink and regularly monitoring your blood sugar levels. Polyphenols, a naturally occurring substance with antioxidant qualities that helps to reduce insulin resistance, are found in dark chocolate which can help type 2 diabetics in managing their blood glucose levels.
Helps in weight loss
Dark chocolate can help you lose weight when consumed in moderation. It contains mono-unsaturated fatty acids, which enhance metabolism and increase calorie burning. Additionally, eating dark chocolate 20 minutes before a meal reduces cravings.
Surprisingly, the magnesium and antioxidants in dark chocolate help to ease body pain, which motivates people to exercise. For those who are having trouble losing weight, dark chocolate can prove to be a blessing.
Enhances brain function
Your brain’s functionality might even be enhanced by dark chocolate. Blood flow in the brains of young individuals can be improved by consuming dark chocolate which contains high-flavanol, according to studies. This may be the reason why regular use of cocoa seems to enhance language learning, memory, and attention. In older people with modest cognitive impairment, cocoa flavonoids may also support cognitive functioning, lower the risk of dementia development, and improve overall well-being.
The healthy hot dark chocolate recipe you should try:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of almond milk without sugar
- Unsweetened cocoa powder (two tablespoons)
- 1 tablespoon of maple syrup or pure honey
- A little sprinkle of salt
- 1 tablespoon of chocolate chips or dark chocolate, diced
- Pure vanilla extract (1/4 teaspoon)
Heat the milk in a small pan until it starts to boil Add a pinch of salt, maple syrup, and cocoa powder and whisk. Add the vanilla extract and the dark chocolate chunks. Next, wait until the dark chocolate gets melted completely and has been completely mixed into the batter. When it’s ready, serve it hot with marshmallows.
Final thoughts
There is a lot of evidence to support dark chocolate’s powerful health advantages, which include improvement in heart health, aiding weight loss, supporting function, and reducing the risk of diabetes.
Naturally, this does not imply that you should always overindulge in chocolates. It still has many calories. Before choosing to indulge, think about your lifestyle practices including nutrition and exercise. Talk to your doctor about the best methods to include chocolate in your diet.
Furthermore, you should also undergo preventive health checkups. These health checkups give a complete report about your health, allowing you to take necessary precautionary measures to improve your well-being and keep various ailments at bay.
