Why dark chocolate is good for your health
Consuming high-cocoa dark chocolate in moderation can provide antioxidants and minerals as well as possibly reducing your risk of heart disease. There are several nutrients in dark chocolate that are good for your health. Here are some scientifically proven health advantages of dark chocolate:
Loaded with nutrients: Dark chocolate contains essential minerals such as iron, magnesium, zinc, copper, and phosphorus. These minerals are utilised by your body to support functions like immunity (zinc), maintain the health of your bones and teeth (phosphorus), and improve the quality of your sleep (magnesium).
May reduce blood pressure and enhance blood flow: Dark chocolate flavonoids can stimulate the endothelium, the lining of arteries, to create nitric oxide (NO). One of NO’s jobs is to tell the arteries to relax, which lowers the blood flow resistance and lowers blood pressure. Although the effects are often minor, numerous controlled researches have demonstrated that cocoa and dark chocolate can enhance blood flow and reduce blood pressure.
Defends your skin from the sun:
The bioactive ingredients in dark chocolate might be beneficial for your skin as well. The flavanols can boost skin density and hydration, protect against sun damage, and promote blood flow to the skin. The bare minimum of UVB photons needed to make skin red for 24 hours after exposure is known as the minimal erythemal dose (MED). According to studies, after consuming high-flavanol dark chocolate or cocoa for 12 weeks,
MED can rise and even treble. As a result, your skin is more shielded from the sun.
Enhances your mood: For a very long time, dark chocolate has been linked to joy and delight. These emotions might have their roots in the polyphenolic substances found in chocolate. Antioxidants called polyphenols help to reduce the stress hormone cortisol. So consuming dark chocolate has the potential to improve your mood. According to a study released in January 2022, participants who consumed 85% dark chocolate on a regular basis had better moods overall than those who consumed chocolate with lower cocoa content or no chocolate at all.