What happens when you consume chocolate daily?

Is dark chocolate healthy?

Chocolate are regarded as an indulgent treat because its manly associated with weight gain and acne. And Americans spend $22 billion annually on treats. Which is not bad as studies show that dark chocolate can be healthy for you.

As dark chocolate is not only rich in minerals such as iron, magnesium, and zinc. But also the cacao in dark chocolate contains antioxidant called flavonoids, which may provide several health benefits.

Dark chocolate contain less fat and sugar as compared to regular white chocolate. But it's important to check the label.“The benefits from dark chocolate don't necessarily apply to other candy".

As commercial milk chocolate contains cacao butter, sugar, milk and small quantities of cacao in contrast, dark chocolate has much larger amount of cacao and less sugar than milk chocolate. Which makes it healthy in comparison to other chocolate.

You must also note that an excess intake of chocolate can cause caffeine related side effects such as  sleeplessness, increased urination, and a fast heartbeat.

What is daily recommend amount of dark chocolate?

The recommended dose is approximately 1 to 2 ounces or 30 - 60 gm, experts say overindulge in anything more than that lead to consumption of too many calories.

A 1,58 ounce (45 gram) Godiva 72% cacao dark chocolate has 230 calories. In comparison, if you ate a medium - size raw apple, you'd only take in 95 calories.

Therefore don't replace healthy food with chocolaty treat. As this may only lead to consumption of more calories and less fiber that the recommended amount.

Nutritional content of a 75% - 85% cacao bar:-

Calories                 - 170
Fat                          - 12 grams
Mg sodium.           - 12 mg
Carbs.                     - 13 grams
dietary fibre         - 1 grams
Protein.                  - 2 grams

Top 8 health benefits of dark chocolate :-

It can help your heart to stay healthy-

Consumption of dark chocolate may help reducing a person's likelihood of developing heart disease. As dark chocolate contain certain compound like plant sterols (PS) and cacao flavanols (CF) that support cardiovascular health by lowering cholesterol and improving blood pressure.
Over 7 studies followed by 114,000 participants who were given a few serving of dark chocolate a week. The results showed that their risk of getting a heart attack was reduced by about 37% and the chances of getting strock were also lowered by 29% when they had a higher consumption of chocolate.

Reduces the risk of cancer-

As we know dark chocolate contains phytochemicals, anti - inflammatory and antioxidant properties. These are important in keeping the action of free radicals at bay. That negatively affect the body by becoming an agent for cancer building cell and that can be reduced by chocolate consumption.

Help you protect against the sun -

In one study conducted in London found that women who were given chocolate with a high flavanol content were able to withstand the UV light on their skin without getting any sunburn on their skin.
Next time you just need to treat you with goodness of dark chocolate before hitting the beach. Just make sure you eat it all before the dark chocolate melts.

It is Rich in nutrients -

A chocolate with a high cacao contains (75% to 85%) have more nutrients as compared to milk chocolate. A dark chocolate contains the higher level of flavanols and other healthy nutrients like iron, copper, magnesium, zinc and phosphate. And also dark chocolate has no milk products and less sugar then regular white chocolate. Dark chocolate also contains fatty acid which are mainly saturated and mono-unsaturated with a high close of fiber. There is no doubt that  ingredients in dark chocolate and highly nutritious.

Dark chocolate can reduce stress-

People who consumer chocolate very often has lower level of stress as compared to people who don't. This is primarily due to presence of antioxidants called polyphenol in dark chocolate.
In a study conducted to University of Swinburne in Australia they found cacao polyphenol had a beneficial effect on the mood of the participants who were calmer and happier. Now your know bitter goodness not only gives joy but also reduce stress.

Dark chocolate may help you to reduce weight-

Ever since the discovery of chocolate people are trying to loose weight and dark chocolate may  help to control appetite and reduce carving because it help balance out body sugar due to its rich flavanols.
In a study where 1000 Californian volunteered found that those who ate chocolate more of time during the weeks had a lower Body Mass Index (BMI)."Overall diet and exercising regimes were not factors which influences this result".

Lowers the blood sugar level -

Researches show that due to antioxidants that are present in cacao powder help the body to use insulin more effectively, causing lower blood sugar level. Which results in less insulin resistance and is common in type-2 diabetes beside that dark chocolate also produce this vital element Nitric oxide that help your arteries to relax and reduce pressure from them and results in a lower Blood pressure count.

Dark chocolate can help you with better workout-

Dark chocolate contain flavanols known as epicatechin which enhance the release of Nitric oxide in the body which results in boosting oxygen availability during fitness training.
Researches who studied cyclist doing time trails in United Kingdom found that" After eating dark chocolate the rider used less oxygen"when cycling at a moderate pace and also covered more distance in a two- minute flat out time trails.

Now you have finished the list and know the benefits of chocolate, why not have a piece of dark chocolate and end enjoy it. And if you like my information subscribe to our blog via email and we will mail you everytime we post something new.

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