While milk chocolate is anything but healthy, the health benefits of dark chocolate is a bundle of good news for health-conscious chocolate lovers everywhere. Scroll on for the proven ways dark chocolate is actually good for you!
First, let’s look at the overall nutrition content of dark chocolate. The following nutrients are found in dark chocolate that has at least 70-85% pure cacao*:
*Nutritional values are for a 100 gram serving.
Multiple studies have found that antioxidants in pure dark cacao help prevent oxidative stress and free radical damage of lipoproteins.
For example, consider the following study published in the Journal of Nutrition. It included 160 male participants and spanned a four week period. After a month of ingesting cocoa powder containing high-polyphenolic compounds (antioxidants), researchers measured higher levels of “good” cholesterol and lower levels of “bad” cholesterol.
Another heart-healthy benefit of pure cacao is that it may decrease insulin resistance. Insulin resistance can lead to diabetes and other heart-related problems. In order to learn more, check out the following articles:
Finally, take a look at this third impressive study! It spans 15 years, and it includes 470 elderly men. After collecting data from the men for nearly two decades, researchers linked habitual cacao consumption with a 50% reduced risk for death.
Another way dark chocolate can boost your health is by protecting your skin. This is due to its flavonols. Flavonols are a type of antioxidant.
According to another article from the Journal of Nutrition, the flavonols are great for your skin!
Dark chocolate can help improve brain functioning in both the short- and long-term. Like coffee, dark chocolate contains stimulants that may enhance cognitive functions soon after eating.
It might also help repair damaged brain functions in elderly individuals.
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Ciao!
Sources:
7 Proven Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate
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