What is Dark Chocolate | Nutrition, Advantages and Disadvantages

What is Dark Chocolate

On hearing the name of chocolate, water comes on the tongue. Generally girls like chocolate more. Chocolate is considered a symbol of love, passion, care and happy life. This is a gift that does not let anyone down.

Its taste is so strong that it makes everyone crazy about it. It is generally said that eating chocolate is injurious to health. But according to a recent research, eating chocolate daily can be good for your health.

Do you also complete your celebration with the sweetness of chocolate? If you are also fond of eating chocolate then this is good news for you.

You will be surprised to know that chocolate does not harm you but helps in keeping you healthy. According to researchers, a piece of dark chocolate daily can reduce the risk of diabetes and heart-related diseases.

Under this research, 1,153 people between the ages of 18-69 were studied in Luxembourg. According to Saverio Stranges, visiting academic at the University of Warwick Medical School in England, this study proves that products made from cocoa improve cardio-metabolic health.

Dark chocolate is considered the most healthy. Dark chocolate contains 11 grams of Fiber, Iron 67%, Magnesium 58%, Zinc 89%, Manganese 98%. In addition, it is rich in Potassium, Phosphorus and Selenium.

Can You Eat Dark Chocolate in Diabetes?

Diabetes patients need to take great care of their diet. Your food brings glucose to the blood. This gives energy to our body. However, the body cells of diabetic patients are unable to use glucose for energy.

Due to which the amount of sugar in the bloodstream increases. That is why doctors forbid diabetes patients to eat sweets. Too much sugar can prove to be dangerous for diabetic patients.

Often diabetic patients have a craving for sweet food. In such a situation, you can calm your cravings by eating a limited amount of dark chocolate.

A study conducted by PubMed found that the antioxidant effects of cocoa Polyphenols present in dark chocolate regulate insulin levels. Along with this, they are also helpful in reducing the chances of diabetes. However, it is important to keep in mind that dark chocolate contains sugar, so consuming it in excess can be harmful.

Dr. Simin Lui, director and professor of the Center for Global Cardiometabolic Health, Brown University, USA, says that none of our research has been designed in such a way that if cocoa is taken directly, then it can cause heart attack and type. Whether effective in reducing 2 diabetes or not.

Antioxidants Found in Dark Chocolate

Despite liking chocolate, some people do not eat for fear of gaining weight. If you also think so, then immediately remove this thing from your mind. Because eating too much chocolate leads to weight gain.

If you take less amount of chocolate, then it will never increase your weight, rather it will benefit your body in many ways. Everything in excess can harm the body. Eating too much food can also harm the body.

Therefore, if you take chocolate in the right amount, then it will not harm you but will benefit you. Along with antioxidants, many such essential elements are found in dark chocolate.

Scientifically speaking, chocolate contains Theobromine and Phenylethylamine, which stimulate the mind. Both of these substances stimulate the brain to produce dopamine. It is a hormone that produces relaxation and pleasure.

Dark chocolate is a good source of Iron, Copper, Magnesium, Zinc and Phosphorus. More than 70% cocoa is found in dark chocolate. Flavanols present in cocoa are a type of plant chemical, which can be beneficial for your health in many ways.

The anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and free radical properties of cocoa flavanols further enhance the quality of dark chocolate. 

According to some researchers, chocolate increases good cholesterol, but this benefit will be available to those people who eat between 200 and 600 mg of dark chocolate daily.

Advantages of Dark Chocolate

Whatever your age, but the name of chocolate is enough to bring a smile on your face. Do you know how a small amount of chocolate benefits our body? Researchers found in research that eating chocolate can not only avoid heart diseases, but can also reduce blood sugar and insulin levels of Diabetic Patients.

Effective in Skin Problems

Many nutrients like copper, iron, magnesium and manganese are present in dark chocolate, which are highly beneficial for the skin. The Flavanol found in it works as a great Anti-Ager.

Manganese produces a protein called collagen, which helps our skin stay young and healthy. It does not allow the signs of our aging to come early. This keeps our skin young.

Nowadays, the use of chocolate is also seen in facials, waxing, packs and chocolate baths. According to research by PubMed, anti-oxidants are found in dark chocolate, which protects the skin from the harmful rays of the sun, ultraviolet rays.

At the same time, it can also be effective in skin infections and allergies. If you are consuming chocolate, then you can soon be free from the tension of wrinkles.

Control Blood Pressure

Dark chocolate is also helpful in controlling blood pressure. A research published on the NCBI website has revealed that dark chocolate has an Antihypertensive effect, due to which its consumption in limited quantities can reduce blood pressure.

Dark chocolate is a good source of magnesium, so blood pressure patients can consume it. On the other hand, According to the research of PubMed, the Flavanols present in the cocoa of dark chocolate control high blood pressure, as well as are beneficial for blood circulation.

Beneficial For Heart

Dark chocolate is also considered good for heart health. By eating dark chocolate, our blood pressure remains under control, due to which we reduce the risk of heart disease.

The Flavonoids present in dark chocolate help to balance heart health. Flavonoids produce nitric oxide, which relaxes blood vessels and regulates blood pressure.

Antioxidants and Flavonoids found in dark chocolate reduce the risk of heart risk. At the same time, it has been seen in many researches that dark chocolate has a Cardioprotective effect.

If you are suffering from any kind of heart disease, then you can consume a limited amount of dark chocolate. Dark chocolate reduces the risk of heart attack by 50% and coronary disease by 10%, so eating chocolate in limited quantities does not harm the body.

Helpful in Relieving Depression

In today’s era, everyone is going through a problem like depression. Eating dark chocolate also helps to overcome depression. Now you must be wondering what chocolate has to do with depression.

So let us tell you, the oxidative stress found in dark chocolate controls the hormones, which reduces stress. Chocolate contains Theobromine and caffeine, which refreshes the brain and increases the secretion of endorphins in the brain, which makes us feel happy.

One study showed that eating high-Flavanol cocoa for 5 days improved blood flow to the brain. According to a study, consuming dark chocolate for three days has been found to improve symptoms of depression in some people.

On this basis, dark chocolate can be considered useful only in the problem of depression. Due to the presence of serotonin in chocolate, it keeps the mind fresh and does not allow stress and depression to dominate.

Reduce Cholesterol

Consuming dark chocolate may improve several important risk factors for heart disease. One study found that cocoa powder significantly reduced bad cholesterol in men.

Not only this, its regular consumption increases cholesterol in the body. According to a research, using dark chocolate containing Plant Sterols and Cocoa Flavanols along with a low fat diet can reduce cholesterol.

Eating less chocolate reduces the amount of cholesterol. It helps in reducing the bad cholesterol present in the body as well as making good cholesterol. It would not be wrong to say on this basis that dark chocolate can be helpful in reducing Cholesterol.

Make Sex Life Better

The cocoa found in dark chocolate is a powerful antioxidant. It helps in increasing blood flow and oxygen in the body. This antioxidant is also helpful in reducing fatigue by improving mood.

Dark chocolate acts as an energy booster in our body. That’s why it is said that by eating dark chocolate, stress is reduced and sexual power also increases and life with partner remains healthy.

Helpful in Reducing Weight

Dark chocolate can also help you lose weight. The cocoa powder found in it helps in reducing fat. But while eating, we should always keep in mind that chocolate should have 60% cocoa content along with less amount of chocolate.

Research has believed that due to the Flavanol elements present in dark chocolate, it may exhibit Antiobesity Effect. Apart from this, also keep in mind that dark chocolate should be used in balanced quantity only. Consuming too much dark chocolate can also lead to weight gain.

How to Choose the Right Dark Chocolate

Eating dark chocolate is beneficial for you. But now the question comes, how to choose the right dark chocolate? Choose yourself a dark chocolate rich in Polyphenols. Being rich in Polyphenols, Antioxidants and Cocoa are found in dark chocolate which is beneficial for our health.

Choose dark chocolate that has the least amount of sugar and fiber. What nutrients are found in dark chocolate, which make it so beneficial.

Through the table given below, you can know about the nutrients present in dark chocolate. Good quality dark chocolate is rich in Fiber, Iron, Magnesium, Copper, Manganese and some Minerals. So there is no problem in eating it.

Disadvantages of Eating Dark Chocolate

Eating dark chocolate can have advantages as well as disadvantages. Consuming too much of dark chocolate can harm you. Actually, the amount of caffeine in dark chocolate is high. In such a situation, consuming more dark chocolate can cause some problems for you.

• Disturbed Blood Sugar Level
• Headache or Migraine
• Excessive consumption of dark chocolate can cause acne and pimples
• Dark chocolate is high in calories. Therefore, there can also be a risk of weight gain due to excessive consumption

Disclaimer : This article is written on the basis of general information only. Before adopting any home remedy, take the advice of doctors or experts.