Benefits of Chocolate You Should Know.

by Kevin | 19 Apr 2019

Dark chocolate is loaded with nutrients that can positively affect your health. Made from the seed of the cocoa tree, it is one of the best sources of antioxidants on the planet. Studies show that dark chocolate (not the sugary crap) can improve your health and lower the risk of heart disease.

It is Highly Nutritious!
If you buy quality dark chocolate with a high cocoa content, then it is actually quite nutritious. It contains a decent amount of soluble fiber and is loaded with minerals. A bar of dark chocolate with 70–85% cocoa contains high amounts of fiber, iron, magnesium, copper and manganese. It also has plenty of potassium, phosphorus, zinc and selenium. Of course, a fairly large amount and not something you should be consuming daily. All these nutrients also come with 600 calories and moderate amounts of sugar.

For this reason, dark chocolate is best consumed in moderation.

It is Rich in Antioxidants
Cocoa and dark chocolate have a wide variety of powerful antioxidants. In fact, they have way more than most other foods.

It Improves Blood Flow and Lower Blood Pressure
The bioactive compounds in cocoa may improve blood flow in the arteries and cause a small but statistically significant decrease in blood pressure.

It May Reduce Heart Disease Risk
Observational studies show a drastic reduction in heart disease risk among those who consume the most chocolate. The compounds in dark chocolate appear to be highly protective against the oxidation of LDL. In the long term, this should cause much less cholesterol to lodge in the arteries, resulting in a lower risk of heart disease.

It Improves Brain Function
The good news isn't over yet. Dark chocolate may also improve the function of your brain. Cocoa may also significantly improve cognitive function in elderly people with mental impairment. It may improve verbal fluency and several risk factors for disease, as well.

There is considerable evidence that cocoa can provide powerful health benefits, being especially protective against heart disease. Of course, this doesn't mean you should go all out and consume lots of chocolate every day. It is still loaded with calories and easy to overeat. Maybe have a square or two after dinner and try to really savor them. If you want the benefits of cocoa without the calories in chocolate, consider making a hot cocoa without any cream or sugar. Also be aware that a lot of the chocolate on the market is not healthy.