Eating chocolate in moderation can definitely help you harness health benefits.
And while a lot of people love different types of chocolate, the dark chocolate is still the healthiest option. It can improve your mood and reduce your stress as well as promote physical health.
We have listed some of the other benefits of eating dark chocolate in this article.
It Maintains Normal Blood Sugar Levels
In a study published in the Journal of Nutrition, it was found that eating dark chocolate could help in the maintenance of normal blood sugar levels, by improving insulin sensitivity, which means it may make it easier to manage diabetes.
However, while dark chocolate can help with blood sugar levels, it is important to note that it is only beneficial when consumed in a moderate amount. If you exceed the amount of dark chocolate you can take, it can be harmful for you.
It Promotes Healthy Skin
Chocolate is loaded with antioxidants that can improve your circulation and help your body repair damaged skin. Research has it that people who ate a bar of dark chocolate every day were able to avoid skin aging.
And dark chocolate also contains flavonoids, which can help remove skin cells that are damaged by sun. There is even one study that found that a daily dose of dark chocolate can help in skin rejuvenation.
It Helps in Stress Reduction and Improves Mood
Dark chocolate has serotonin, a brain chemical that helps improve your mood and reduce your stress.
In addition, chocolate has flavonoids, antioxidant compounds that help prevent free radicals from causing cell damage and also protect your cells from oxidative stress.
It Lowers Blood Pressure
A study showed that those who ate a cup of dark chocolate every day were shown to have improved their blood circulation. This proves that dark chocolate can help lower the risk of stroke, which can be caused by high blood pressure.
Another study suggests that people who flavonoid-rich cocoa may lower blood pressure. This is because of the flavonoids in chocolate, which have been found to relax blood vessels and lower blood pressure.
It Lowers Cholesterol
Studies show that dark chocolate can help lower blood pressure and improve blood flow to the brain. This can help decrease the risk of stroke and heart attack.
In addition, according to The Journal of Nutrition study, eating dark chocolate can help lower the LDL cholesterol and increase HDL. In another study, the participants had reduced their LDL (bad) cholesterol by 3.2 percent, their total cholesterol by 3.9 percent, and their triglycerides by 2.5 percent.
Reduces the Risk of Heart Diseases
Based on the findings of a research, dark chocolate is said to be beneficial to the vascular system, reduce inflammation, and lower your risk of cardiovascular disease.
Polyphenols in dark chocolate can actually help protect your heart from disease. Dark chocolate is rich in flavonol antioxidants that can help prevent damage caused by free radicals, which can lead to coronary heart diseases.
Bonus: Prevents Against Alzheimer’s Disease
Scientists have found that eating dark chocolate can help improve the flow of blood and the stimulation of the nerve cells in your brain, which could help reduce the risk of dementia.
In one study, it was found that cocoa contains lavado, that is known to prevent or reduce damage in the nerve pathways that were usually seen on Alzheimer patients. Those who ate chocolate regularly also showed improved cognitive function.
Conclusion
If you want to enjoy the amazing benefits of dark chocolate, make sure you eat it in moderation. Experts advise you to stick to only one ounce of dark chocolate per day. So, go ahead and include dark chocolate into your diet.
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