Health Benefits of Chocolate
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As far as the world of dieting and health is concerned, chocolate is quite the enemy. While a part of your heart overflows with joy with every bite of chocolate, the other part is filled with guilt and sadness.
But what surprises us is that it’s crazy how one can feel guilty about having something that has multiple health benefits. Yes, you read it right! Chocolate, specifically dark chocolate does have multiple health benefits.
The credit goes to cocoa as it is filled with healthy chemicals like flavonoids and theobromine.
Here are the benefits of dark chocolate:
Chocolate leads to a healthier heart: It was found in a study conducted over a span of 9 years that women who ate one or two servings of dark chocolate every week had a lower risk of heart failure by a third. This is because the flavonoids and antioxidant compounds increase the flexibility of veins and arteries.
Chocolate helps in weight loss: Weight-loss specialist and board-certified internist Sue Decotiis, M.D., notes that dark chocolate also contains healthy fats, which slow the absorption of sugar into the blood stream. In addition to that, Will Clower, Ph.D. says that eating dark chocolate 20 minutes before a meal cuts down one’s appetite by 50%. So if chocolate isn’t already a part of your diet, it should be!
Chocolate is extremely rich in antioxidants: Antioxidants kill harmful bacteria and protect the body from what are known as free radicals. That being said, dark chocolate has organic compounds like flavanols, catechins, polyphenols, etc in a much larger quantity when compared to other fruits and vegetables. These antioxidants promote the overall health of one’s body.
Chocolate prevents memory decline: Scientists at Harvard Medical School found that drinking two cups of hot chocolate improved the blood flow to the brain. In a study published in 2014, researchers found that lavado (cocoa extract) could prevent damage to nerve pathways which leads to Alzheimer’s. Therefore, you should never forget to have your piece of chocolate.
Chocolate helps improve eyesight: In a study published in Psychology and Behaviour, participants who consumed dark chocolate were better able to detecting motion and reading low contrast letters. The flavanols in cocoa are responsible for this enhanced visuals as they increase the blood flow to the retina and brain.
Well, who knew that chocolate is a blessing not only for your taste buds but also for your entire body. Way to go, chocolate!
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