Chocolate was very valuable for Mayans; it was used as money. Today, its value comes nutritionally. It is a delicious treat that has many health benefits. And the higher the cocoa concentration (70% or more), the more are the benefits. Here, you will find the health benefits of dark chocolate.

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Health Benefits

1. Prevents Heart Disease

Eating dark chocolate can lower your risk of suffering cardiovascular disease. It is due to its contents of flavanols, which are a natural compound found in dark chocolate. Flavanols can stimulate the production of nitric oxide, which causes vasodilation (widening of blood vessels). That way, they help to lower your blood pressure.

2. Improves Brain Function

Dark chocolate improves the blood flow to the brain because of its ability to widen the blood vessels, which improves brain function. It also can help with stress since it stimulates areas of the brain related to pleasure. And finally, it can help with your cognitive process (the process to learn).

3. Reduces Inflammation

Dark chocolate has compounds that help with inflammation. In that sense, conditions like diabetes, cancer, and arthritis could be prevented. And all this is because when you have long-lasting inflammation, your cells get damaged, which is essentially what happens in these diseases.

4. Reduces Blood Sugar Levels

Dark chocolate can improve your body’s sensitivity to insulin. That means that when you have a rush of glucose (sugar) in your blood, the insulin is going to act by removing it, lowering in that way your sugar levels. When your blood sugar levels are under control, you reduce the risk of becoming a diabetic.

5. Prevents Cancer

Dark chocolate could prevent certain types of cancer because of its inflammation reduction ability. Dark chocolate protects the cells against free radicals, through its anti-oxidative effect. By doing so, fewer free radicals are out to attack your cells and damage them.

6. Increases HDL

HDL (High-density lipoprotein) is what doctors refer to as your “good cholesterol”. Certain compounds found in dark chocolate can increase your levels of HDL.

7. Helps Your Skin

Dark chocolate contains many vitamins and minerals. They are helpful for your skin. As people age,

the skin loses elasticity and wrinkles appear. Manganese is a mineral found in dark chocolate that helps in the production of collagen, which has to do with your skin elasticity. Another mineral is calcium, which helps in the repair and renewal of your skin.

Dark Chocolate comes with flavor and nutrition. Its health benefits are many. But remember that to get the most of it, the cocoa concentration must be 70% or higher. Also, try to avoid consuming over 1-2 ounces of dark chocolate daily, as higher amounts can make you gain weight. So, next time that you eat dark chocolate, enjoy it knowing how much it might benefit your health. As always, keep healthy and stay tuned for the next topic in this blog.

References

1. Fisher ND, Hollenberg NK. Flavanols for cardiovascular health: the science behind the sweetness. J Hypertens. 2005 Aug;23(8):1453-9. doi: 10.1097/01.hjh.0000174605.34027.9d. PMID: 16003167. Accessed on February 7, 2022.

2. Jaramillo Flores ME. Cocoa Flavanols: Natural Agents with Attenuating Effects on Metabolic Syndrome Risk Factors. Nutrients. 2019 Mar 30;11(4):751. doi: 10.3390/nu11040751. PMID: 30935075; PMCID: PMC6520706. Accessed on February 7, 2022.

3. Desideri G, Kwik-Uribe C, Grassi D, Necozione S, Ghiadoni L, Mastroiacovo D, Raffaele A, Ferri L, Bocale R, Lechiara MC, Marini C, Ferri C. Benefits in cognitive function, blood pressure, and insulin resistance through cocoa flavanol consumption in elderly subjects with mild cognitive impairment: the Cocoa, Cognition, and Aging (CoCoA) study. Hypertension. 2012 Sep;60(3):794-801. doi: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.112.193060. Epub 2012 Aug 14. PMID: 22892813. Accessed on February 7, 2022.

4. Mursu J, Voutilainen S, Nurmi T, Rissanen TH, Virtanen JK, Kaikkonen J, Nyyssönen K, Salonen JT. Dark chocolate consumption increases HDL cholesterol concentration and chocolate fatty acids may inhibit lipid peroxidation in healthy humans. Free Radic Biol Med. 2004 Nov 1;37(9):1351-9. doi: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2004.06.002. PMID: 15454274. Accessed on February 7, 2022.

5. 7 Proven Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate, Healthline, https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/7-health-benefits-dark-chocolate#TOC_TITLE_HDR_3 Accessed on February 7, 2022.

6. 8 Healthy Reasons to Eat Dark Chocolate, Everyday Health, https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-and-nutrition-pictures/delicious-reasons-to-eat-dark-chocolate.aspx Accessed on February 7, 2022.

7. What are the health benefits of dark chocolate, MedicalNewsToday, https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/dark-chocolate#portion-size Accessed on February 7, 2022.

8. Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate, WebMD, https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-dark-chocolate#2 Accessed on February 7, 2022.

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