Chocolate is one of the most popular foods around the world. It’s appeal is universal.
Did you know chocolate is also a “health food?” Dark high quality chocolate has several health benefits that make it a perfect snack. And that is why there’s always a bag of dark chocolate in my cupboard!
Obviously, over-consumption of any food can have a detrimental effect on general health, however consumption of dark chocolate in moderate amounts has many health benefits. Eating about an ounce of dark chocolate every day is actually a good thing! Self care made easy.
Why dark chocolate, not milk chocolate?
Dark chocolate must have a cacao percentage of 70% or higher which raises the nutritional benefit.
Dark chocolate has a higher calorie, fat and saturated fat content than milk chocolate, but its health benefits are much higher than milk chocolate. Dark chocolate has 22% more iron, four times more fiber and 242 grams more theobromine (the alkaloid which reduces blood pressure) than an equal amount of milk chocolate.
Other Health Benefits Of Dark Chocolate
- Lowers cholesterol. In studies, dark chocolate has proven to lower LDL (bad cholesterol) and increase HDL (good cholesterol).
- Good for the heart because of flavanols. Dark chocolate contains two to three times more flavanol-rich cocoa solids as compared to milk chocolate. Flavanols are related to the production of nitric oxide, which relaxes your blood vessels and improves blood flow. In turn, this lowers blood pressure.
- It improves your skin. The flavanols in dark chocolate also help protect the skin against sun damage. This doesn’t mean that you can do without sun screen! It does mean flavanols will reduce the damage due to sun.
- Studies have shown dark chocolate also improves insulin sensitivity. This means that dark chocolate can improve blood sugar levels and can actually be incorporated in a diabetic diet
- It’s nutritious. Of course, chocolate contains calories – up to 242 per 100 grams. However, dark chocolate contains minerals such as iron, magnesium, copper and manganese, zinc, potassium and selenium. It is also a good source of fiber, containing about 11 grams.
- Good source of antioxidants, which are great for promoting heart health, decreasing risk of infection, and fighting free radicals in the body. The cocoa tree is one of the best source of antioxidants on the planet. Many studies have shown dark chocolate to have a higher amount of antioxidants than blueberries or Acai berries.
Although dark chocolate has a higher calorie, fat and saturated fat content than milk chocolate, its health benefits are much higher than milk chocolate. Dark chocolate is packed full of important minerals, including iron, magnesium, zinc, copper and phosphorus. In your body, these minerals are used to support factors such as immunity (zinc), can help keep your bones and teeth healthy (phosphorus), and contribute to better sleep quality (magnesium). It also has more fiber and more theobromine (the alkaloid which reduces blood pressure). Dark chocolate has fewer carbs and half the sugar of milk chocolate.
You might think treating yourself to some dark chocolate is a simple self-indulgence, but, it also makes you happier. It has been scientifically proven that polyphenols (the antioxidants found in cocoa), can reduce levels of cortisol (the primary stress hormone) in your body. Dark chocolate can quite literally improve your mood.
There you go! Feel less guilty and enjoy the subtle sense of calm as you bite into and savor one or two pieces of dark chocolate a day. It’s for your own good health!
Immediate enjoyment and satisfaction — the perfect self care prescription! You are so welcome.
—–written by Charlene Vance —–