Did you ever believe that one day you would be reading that
chocolate not only tastes good but is also good for your health as well?
Well this is the day. However I do apologize to spoil this sensational
information for you, but I need to point out that not all chocolate is
healthy. The healthy chocolate is the one that you rarely see on the
shelves of your local supermarket. You guessed it; dark chocolate. (I
know, the title gave it away in the beginning).
Healthy dark
chocolate, the one which contains a minimum of 70% of cocoa (cacao) or
more, is listed in the top foods (aka Superfoods) in which you can add
to your healthy diet since it is packed with antioxidants. When consumed
in moderation, this delicious treat has some very powerful health
benefits which are listed below.
Good For Your Heart -
Improves blood flow which also reduces the risk of blood clots. By
increasing blood flow, both the heart and the brain will always have a
sufficient flow of blood towards them to keep them working normally. The
flavonoids present in dark chocolate protect cells from free radicals,
which are unstable molecules that damage the body's cells and organs.
Flavonoids also lower blood pressure and reduce LDL cholesterol (the bad
one) by up to 10%.
Good For Your Brain - Eating
dark chocolate as mentioned above increases blood flow not only to the
heart but also to the brain, which boosts alertness and performance for
as long as three hours. This mouthwatering confection also causes the
release of neurotransmitters (endorphins) which "speak" to the brain
feeding it positive information and forming new memories. Just a few
bites of dark chocolate is enough for the chemical dopamine to be
released which helps you recall people and events.
Helps Control Blood Sugar -By
keeping your blood vessels healthy, dark chocolate aids to protect
against type 2 diabetes. The flavonoids increase the production of
nitric oxide which helps reduce insulin resistance by helping your cells
function normally and regain the ability to use your body's insulin
efficiently. This unique type of chocolate also has a low glycemic index
which prevents huge spikes in blood sugar levels that can be very
dangerous.
Improves Your Mood - Dark Chocolate
contains phenylthylamine (PEA) which is the chemical that your brain
creates when you feel like you're in love!! Have you ever experienced
the creation of this chemical? PEA encourages your brain to release
endorphins and serotonin. Endorphins are know to lessen pain, improve
mood and relieve stress, whereby serotonin is the brain's "feel good"
chemical that plays the part in promoting feelings of wellbeing and
happiness.
Reduces Stress - A Swiss study,
(Switzerland is one of the largest exporters of chocolate that has to be
noted) found that eating just 40 grams of dark chocolate every day
significantly reduces your levels of cortisol which is the stress
hormone. This "black magic" also contains the chemical serotonin which
acts as an antidepressant.
Protects Your Skin From The Sun - A
research carried out in London found that people who ate dark chocolate
for three months, took twice as long for their skin to redden when
exposed to UV, compared to those who ate none. This is due to the
flavonoids contained in dark chocolate that increases blood flow to the
skin, improving skin complexion but also protecting it.
A Warning Message
Despite
the health benefits of dark chocolate you must not forget that it is
still chocolate which comes along with its excessive calories. A medium
sized dark chocolate bar might not be as fattening as milk chocolate,
but can still contain up to 250 calories, so watch your portion sizes.
Enjoyed with moderation, you can add this superfood in your daily diet
to reap the health benefits it offers.
If today is the day that you want to change your lifestyle, then
do it today, because the more you put it off until "Next Week", the less
likely you are to ever start.
By Constantinos K Costa
By Constantinos K Costa
