There is a lot of information going around about the negative effects of consuming chocolates, well, what if we tell you that you can eat a type of chocolate that can be beneficial to you. Yes, you may be wondering which type and what benefits, If you are, you are in great luck cause today we would be talking about that chocolate which is DARK CHOCOLATE.
What are dark chocolates, where did they get their name from and where are they gotten from?
Dark chocolates (also known as sour chocolate) is a form of chocolate containing cocoa solids and cocoa butter, without the milk or butter found in milk chocolate. The amount of sugar, cocoa and cocoa butter can vary dramatically from brand to brand, but it is the lack of milk that really distinguishes dark chocolate from milk chocolate. Dark chocolates also often include vanilla and an emulsifier, to keep the chocolate as smooth as possible. Dark chocolate is called dark because they contain at least 35% of cacao which means they may have up to 50% or even 70% atimes.
Dark Chocolates are loaded with nutrients that can positively affect your health and we shall be looking at these benefits in today’s blog.
Cocoa in dark chocolates is rich in plant chemicals called flavanols that help to protect the heart. Dark chocolate contains up to 2–3 times more flavanol-rich cocoa solids than milk chocolate. Flavanols have been shown to support the production of nitric oxide (NO) in the endothelium (the inner cell lining of blood vessels) that helps to relax the blood vessels and improve blood flow, thereby lowering blood pressure.
The flavanols in chocolate can increase insulin sensitivity (refers to how sensitive the body’s cells are in response to insulin) in the short term and this in the long run could reduce risk of diabetes because high insulin sensitivity allows the cells of the body to use blood glucose more effectively, reducing blood sugar. Dark chocolate contains bioactive compounds which are great for the skin. The flavanols improve the flow of blood to the skin and act as a sun protection layer on the skin. It also helps in increasing hydration and skin density. Dark chocolates are also rich in nutrients like Iron, Copper, Magnesium, Zinc and Phosphorus.
Cocoa in dark chocolate contains the right amount of fatty acids that are beneficial to us. It mostly contains saturated and mono-unsaturated fats with a tiny amount of polyunsaturated fat.
So, dark chocolate no longer has to be the forbidden fruit! Next time you indulge yourself with a piece of creamy dark chocolate, don’t feel so guilty. Of course, this doesn’t mean you should go all out and consume lots of chocolate every day. It is still loaded with calories (150–170 calories per ounce) and easy to overeat which can contribute to weight gain.
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 may not be healthy so it is better to choose quality stuff , dark chocolate with 70% or higher cocoa content.
So enjoy that dark chocolate today but don’t forget to do it in moderation.
I hope we all enjoyed today’s blog. Don’t forget to share this post and follow us on all our social media pages
REFERENCES
