Let’s face it: chocolate is one of the most indulgent desserts there is. Chocolate offers joy no matter how you eat it: as a candy bar, in a hot drink, or poured over ice cream. Although chocolate is delectable, it is not always nutritious — or even genuine chocolate. White chocolate, for example, is devoid of cocoa solids. That means it’s more of a dessert than anything else.
Dark chocolate contains minerals like iron, magnesium, and zinc. Dark chocolate includes antioxidants known as flavonoids, which may have various health benefits. Cacao contains far more antioxidants than green tea or red wine. The darker the chocolate, the more antioxidants it contains; however, there must be a balance between eating tasty dark chocolate and reaping the health advantages.
Is dark chocolate good for you?
Dark chocolate stands out when compared to other types of chocolate. Dark chocolate has less sugar and fat added than milk or white chocolate. It also has a high concentration of helpful antioxidants known as flavonoids.
Milk chocolate and dark chocolate have similar ingredients, such as cocoa butter, sugar, and cocoa solids. However, the percentage of cocoa solids in the two types of chocolate differs.
Dark chocolate contains 50% to 90% cocoa solids, while milk chocolate contains 10% to 50%. Unsurprisingly, the percentage of cocoa solids can influence the magnitude of the advantages of dark chocolate. The greater the amount of cocoa solids, the more antioxidants and the lower the sugar content. There will be less added sugar if you choose 75% or 80% dark chocolate than if you use 50% dark chocolate.
What are the most significant health benefits of dark chocolate?
1. An excellent source of trace minerals
Dark chocolate offers numerous outstanding health benefits, including a high cocoa content and a dense nutrient load. Minerals such as magnesium, iron, and zinc fall under this category.
Dark chocolate is packed full of important minerals, including iron, magnesium, zinc, copper and phosphorus. In your body, these minerals are used to support factors such as immunity (zinc), can help keep your bones and teeth healthy (phosphorus), and contribute to better sleep quality (magnesium).
2. High in plant chemicals that provide protection
One of the advantages of dark chocolate is that it contains plant components with antioxidant qualities. Polyphenols, flavanols, and catechins are examples of these. In a 2011 study, dark chocolate and cocoa powder were compared to super fruits,’ with the chocolate being shown to be higher in antioxidants than both blueberries and pomegranates.
Flavanols are flavonoid compounds found in plants such as the cocoa tree. These plants produce cacao beans, which are used to make chocolate. Cacao beans are high in flavanols. The cacao beans are fermented and roasted, yielding cocoa beans. We produce cocoa solids out of them.”
3. May lower the risk of cardiovascular disease
According to research, diets high in protective flavanols may improve vascular health by improving blood vessel function, lowering blood pressure, and lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease. With dark chocolate being one of the most valuable sources of flavonoids, it could be a heart-healthy addition to a diverse, balanced diet.
According to research, the flavonoids in dark chocolate help to maintain heart health. According to a review published in the American Journal of Physiology: Cell Physiology in March 2017, these molecules help create nitric oxide, which allows blood vessels to relax and blood pressure to drop.
4. It has the potential to boost brain function.
Consuming moderate amounts of high-cocoa dark chocolate on a regular basis may enhance blood flow, including that to the brain, due to the favorable effects on the vascular system. Studies also show that flavanols have some neuroprotective properties, implying that they may be useful in preserving cognitive function in the elderly.
5. Has the potential to influence the gut microbiome
Consuming high-cocoa chocolate, which is high in these polyphenols, appears to influence the community of microorganisms that dwell in our gut, generally known as our gut microbiota. A diet like this stimulates the growth of good bacteria that activate anti-inflammatory pathways, potentially reducing the consequences of inflammatory disorders like heart disease and diabetes.
6. Dark chocolate may help to lower blood sugar levels and the risk of developing diabetes.
Eating chocolate every day may not sound like the ideal strategy to prevent diabetes, but studies have shown that eating reasonable amounts of dark chocolate high in cacao as part of a healthy diet can really enhance how the body metabolizes glucose. According to a study, insulin resistance generates high blood glucose (sugar) and is the hallmark of type 2 diabetes.
7. Improves your mood
There’s good news: There’s a scientific study why you feel better after eating dark chocolate. Dark chocolate has long been connected with feelings of delight and pleasure. These sensations could be caused by polyphenolic chemicals.
Polyphenols are antioxidants that reduce the stress hormone cortisol. So eating dark chocolate has mood-boosting properties.
Is dark chocolate suitable for all?
Moderate use of high-cocoa, minimally processed dark chocolate is generally accepted as safe and may constitute part of a diverse, balanced diet, at least for the majority of us. Cacao and most dark chocolate products (that are dairy-free) are safe for vegans due to their plant-based nature.
Because dark chocolate contains stimulants like caffeine and theobromine, you should limit your intake if you are sensitive to these compounds.
Is there anything bad about dark chocolate?
Dark chocolate has a harsh taste and contains more caffeine at greater percentages. Caffeine can aggravate reflux, often known as heartburn. If you are sensitive to caffeine or do not want to consume caffeine since it is a stimulant, you should avoid dark chocolate.
However, the caffeine content of dark chocolate is much lower than that of coffee. Even two ounces of 70% dark chocolate would have 50 to 60 milligrams of caffeine. There are 100 to 200 milligrams in an eight-ounce cup of coffee, which is far smaller than most people drink.
Dark chocolate also has a “moderate amount of saturated fat, which is linked to elevated cholesterol. However, the heart-protective benefits of flavanols are thought to outweigh the disadvantages of dark chocolate’s saturated fat.
Is dark chocolate good for you?
Consuming moderate amounts of high-cocoa dark chocolate may provide some health benefits. Dark chocolate contains a variety of minerals that can assist a variety of biological processes, including those of the heart and brain. Furthermore, dark chocolate contains a higher concentration of antioxidants than some fruits.
If you feel you have a food allergy, read more about it from a trusted source and consult your doctor.