10 Science-backed Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate!

Isn’t it a dream come true when you get to know that even chocolate can offer some incredible benefits to your body.

It is something I have dreamed about while growing. But yes when I say that it is beneficial for our health we should understand that anything in a quantity more required ultimately has adverse effects on our body. So, even though it like a living dream but we must watch the amount of intake so that it does not fire back instead of benefitting us.

Milk chocolates involve a lot of sugar in their making as compared to dark chocolates. Those too sugary milk chocolates and candies are no good for your health but there is something special about dark chocolate. There is a lot of difference in the ingredients and composition of dark chocolate and ordinary chocolate and this difference in composition makes all the difference.

As per the research dark chocolates are the ones which prove to be highly advantageous. Chocolate lovers, and means all of us rejoice when the benefits of antioxidants found in chocolate are talked about, but it’s important to realize that not all chocolate is created equal, not even close. The potential health benefits of processed, highly sweetened chocolate are slim to none, but the health benefits of dark chocolate are numerous and quite impressive.

Let’s discuss in detail the composition of dark chocolate and what makes it different and more effective for good health and get to know the secret ingredients.

Just an ounce of dark chocolate with 70 percent to 85 percent cocoa solids contains around:

• 168 calories
• 8 grams carbohydrates
• 2 grams of protein
• 12 grams Fat
• 1 gram of fiber
• 5-milligrams manganese (27 percent DV)
• 5-milligram copper (25 percent DV)
• 3 milligrams iron (19 percent DV)
• 8 milligrams magnesium (16 percent DV)
• 2 milligrams phosphorus (9 percent DV)
• 200 milligrams potassium (6 percent DV)
• 9-milligram zinc (6 percent DV)
• 2 micrograms vitamin K (3 percent DV)
• 9 micrograms selenium (3 percent DV)
• 4 milligrams calcium (2 percent DV)

The Major Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate includes the Following:

1. Protection from Disease-Causing Free Radicals

One of the major health benefits offered by dark chocolates is its ability to fight free radicals. Free radicals can be defined as some unbalanced compounds that are the resultant of the cellular activities and the cellular processes.

The antioxidants present in the dark chocolate are said to be the tool for providing us this benefit. Dark chocolate, therefore, is an easy and delicious way to boost your immunity.

2. Potential Cancer Prevention

Dark chocolate has proven to be one of the food items that can help prevent cancer-causing agents in our bodies. The flavonoids present in the dark chocolate helps in this process. The research for the causes and cures of cancer is still going on but dark chocolates have surely have made their way to the food items which are advantageous for us to avoid the key causes of cancer.

3. Improved Heart Health

Dark chocolate has proven to be highly effective in controlling the heart rate. Flavanols are the main type of flavonoid found in dark chocolate. Scientists have observed that these flavonoids have a very impactful effect on the heart rate and are functional in providing the right amount of blood flow to the heart and the brain as well.

The dark chocolate thus helps in lowering the blood pressure in case the person is suffering from high blood pressure. The dark chocolate makes the blood platelets less sticky and thus reduces the risks of blood clotting and strokes as well.

4. Maintaining Good Cholesterol Profile

The dark chocolate helps in maintaining your cholesterol levels and also boosts up the good cholesterol in your body. Dark chocolate’s cocoa polyphenols may be involved in cholesterol control. The daily consumption of dark chocolate for over three weeks can effectively help you to improve the good cholesterol level in your body.

5. Better Cognitive Functions

Dark chocolate surely makes up for one of the best food items which are impactful in boosting brain functions and memory functions as well. Dark chocolate consisting of flavanols helps you to focus well and memorize things in a better easy way.

6. Rich in minerals

Dark chocolate is packed with minerals. It has a variety of minerals ranging from potassium to zinc and selenium. This mineral-rich composition helps our body to rejuvenize the mineral contents and also make up for the deficiency if any. So, the right intake of dark chocolate in your diet also makes sure that you do not lose out on these vital minerals.

7. Helps you to lose weight

I know it sounds enigmatically unbelievable but it is true. Dark chocolate actually can help you to lose weight as well. Before a major meal of your day if you consume a small cube or a small amount of dark chocolate then that triggers your hormones and gives you a sensation of being full.

And in this way, you will be less tempted to eat more than the actual requirement of your body, which ultimately is the cornerstone of the weight loss process.

Also, a small amount of dark chocolate consumed after the meal helps you to avoid subsequent snacking which is again something that helps you to avoid overeating.

8. Helps to protect your skin

The bioactive compounds in the dark chocolate can be surprisingly good for your skin. The flavonols present in dark chocolate helps in protecting your skin from the sun-induced damage which may be due to UV rays. The flavonols also help the blood to flow in a better way and that ultimately helps you to improve your skin in various ways.

9. Boosts your strength

The dark chocolate helps you to ameliorate your strength. It is scientifically proven that if you consume dark chocolate three times a week, it helps you to boost up your endurance and strength. The weights which seemed impossible to lift become achievable and soon you significantly feel the difference in the levels of your strength. It is almost unfathomable that something so tasty can also help you to be stronger.

10. Helps you to control your cough

Dark chocolate has been proven to be effective in controlling cough better than cough medicines. One of the chemicals in cocoa, theobromine, is known to antagonize the activity of the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve is a part of your brain, and its activation can trigger coughing fits.

Dark chocolate is also said to be good for your body during pregnancy due to it’s characteristic that helps you to improve endurance.

Now that you know that one of your favorite things can be so good for your health if consumed wisely, you should not let this knowledge go waste. Avail all the benefits and advantages offered by dark chocolates and make it a part of your daily diet and routine. Please be careful about the amount and the frequency of intake so that you get the best possible results without any ado.