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Surprisingly dark chocolate is a super-food! If we can consume the right type of dark chocolate we can get amazing benefits, like boosting antioxidants, lowering blood pressure, and even reducing risk of cancer.
Dark Chocolate super food of the gods?
Dark chocolate is a full pack of heath tonic. History is the evidence as of it is true through out the Mesoamerican culture who believed that it is God’s gift. He blessed them with cacao to provide stamina, heal numerous diseases, and reduce fatigue.
The fact that it was considered so pious that only priests, high government officials, military officials and great warriors can only eat. It wasn’t suitable for women, children or the lower classes because they were inferior.
Here read on the benefits of dark chocolate.
1. Lowers blood pressure
The compound prostacyline present in dark chocolate help in lowering the blood pressure by increasing vasodialation. Another study showed that the more amount of intake of dark chocolate the lower risk of future cardiovascular events. Another example,of the Kuna indians of the San Blas islands of Panama, those who drinks regularly three cups of cacao beverage has lowered the risk of hypertension, myocardial infraction compared to those of mainland.
2. Fights aging
The function of antioxidants in dark chocolate comes to play for fighting aging. It fight the DNA damage that causes aging symptoms like wrinkles, graying hair and disease.
Researches also showed that the polyphenols and flavonoids in dark chocolate help protect our skin from UV rays.
3. Reduces cholesterol
Dark chocolate also imparts some of the tricks to lower the cholesterol. One of the studies showed that just a week of dark chocolate consumption can give effective results. It was enough to improve lipid profiles and decrease platelets reactivity for both men and women.
4. Improves brain function
Due to its flavoral content, Dark chocolate helps in boosting cognitive function by improving cerebral flow. Especially in elder participants, one study proved that intake of flavonoid rich food helps in better cognitive function. Another study in Italy proved that intake of flavanols in chocolate helps in reversing age related memory decline.
5. Anti-diabetic effects
Intake of dark chocolate improves glucose balance, insulin sensitivity, and inflammation markers- all the symptoms of diabetes, was shown by one research. In the study it particularly proved that those who ate dark chocolate was benefited not the ones who had white chocolate.
Very interestingly a study in Japan showed that the risk of developing diabetes was 35 percent reduced among men who had ‘chocolate snake pieces’ once per week versus who didn’t consume it.
6. Potentially reduce the risk of developing cancer
Studies have confirmed that chronic inflammation contributes to developing the risk of cancer, including DNA mutation and growth of cancer cells. Again the property of antioxidants of dark chocolate plays its role by fighting the DNA damage that leads to cancer development, also reduces certain inflammation enzymes which encourages cancer.
7. Reduces risks of developing neurological diseases.
The content flavonoids in dark chocolate seems to effective in protecting the neurons of our brain and the nervous system. It specially reduces neuro-inflammation that give rise to diseases like Parkinson disease and Alzheimer’s disease. It also process new memory by encouraging the growth of new neurons in the hippo campus.
8. Increases satiety and reduces appetite.
The researchers revealed that having dark chocolate can actually check our cravings. The smell of dark chocolate increases satiety and reduces appetite thus in turn helping to keeps the extra pounds off from our body.
9. How to choose the best dark chocolate?
Obviously not all chocolates are the same. So to get the best of the benefits go for those which contains 75% of cacao content in it. It will also ensure minimal sugar addition in it to work effectively.
10. How often should you indulge in dark chocolate?
While dark chocolate is loaded with benefits but the consumption should be limited to one square per day, or a table spoon, or two, of dark cacao made in a hot chocolate drink. Even if you don’t eat it daily, but get into a habit to consume a dose of dark chocolate at least three times a week to boost up antioxidants levels and cash in all the benefits by truly exclaiming dark chocolate as ‘super-food’.
More Reads:
The Stories behind famous chocolate brand names
10 things you probably didn’t know about chocolate
Amazing Benefits your body gets from eating chocolate
