Introduction
As a dietary supplement, dark chocolate is not that unusual. It’s also one of the most popular items on the market, so you’d think it would have been studied more extensively than most foods. But surprisingly enough, research shows there are many health benefits to eating this little treat. Here we’ll talk about five of those benefits:
Dark chocolate improves your mood
Dark chocolate is rich in flavonoids, which are a type of antioxidant. Antioxidants help reduce cell damage and protect you from disease. Dark chocolate also contains magnesium, which helps regulate blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
The benefits of dark chocolate don’t end there! Dark chocolate contains a compound called cesium chloride that’s been shown to contribute to weight loss by reducing appetite, improving metabolism and boosting thermogenesis (the body’s ability to burn calories). So if you’re looking for some new ways to lose weight this year without starving yourself or feeling like death after eating an entire box of Kit Kats on the way home from work–why not give dark chocolate a try?
Dark chocolate protects your heart.
Dark chocolate contains antioxidants, which are natural compounds that protect against chronic inflammation. Inflammation is a key factor in heart disease, so eating dark chocolate can lower your risk of developing it. Dark chocolate also contains other heart healthy nutrients such as magnesium and copper, which may help to reduce or prevent blood clots from forming in your arteries (a major cause of heart attacks).
Dark chocolate can help prevent Alzheimer’s disease.
Dark chocolate contains flavonoids, which are antioxidants. These compounds help protect your brain from oxidative stress and may contribute to the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease.
For example, a study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease found that subjects who consumed dark chocolate had lower levels of amyloid plaque compared to those who ate milk chocolate or white chocolate bars (which don’t contain any cocoa). Additionally, researchers at Harvard School of Public Health found that eating dark chocolate reduces inflammation and improves cholesterol levels–two important factors related to heart disease risk.
Dark chocolate may reduce the risk of infection.
Dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants, which help to fight infection. Antioxidants are chemicals that neutralize free radicals and can help protect against diseases such as cancer, heart disease and arthritis. Dark chocolate contains flavonoids called epicatechin (1). Epicatechin is a chemical compound found in the skin of dark chocolate that has been shown to be effective at fighting infections by killing bacteria within minutes of contact with human skin or the mouth (2). Dark chocolate also contains magnesium which helps your body naturally produce more antioxidants than other foods (3).
Dark chocolate may help lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
In addition to its other benefits, dark chocolate may help lower your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Dark chocolate contains plenty of magnesium, which helps regulate blood pressure and heart rate. It also contains antioxidants that can help lower cholesterol levels in the body. Chocolate has a good amount of dietary fiber–this type of fat-loving plant material helps slow down digestion so you feel fuller longer after eating it (and therefore eat less overall).
Dark chocolate contains antioxidants that protect against cancer, stroke and heart disease.
Dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants, which help protect against cancer, stroke and heart disease. Antioxidants are found in many fruits and vegetables but dark chocolate has more of them than milk chocolate. Theobromine, a stimulant found in the leaves of cacao plants, helps your body produce endorphins that make you feel happier.
A little bit of dark chocolate every day is good for your health.
Dark chocolate is a good source of antioxidants. Antioxidants are chemicals that neutralize free radicals, which are molecules that damage cells and cause inflammation. These can affect everything from your skin to your brain to your heart and lungs. They also help speed up the regeneration of damaged tissues and cells, which may be why dark chocolate has been shown to help fight aging by fighting free radicals–but there’s more!
Dark chocolate is rich in magnesium, an essential mineral for many body functions including maintaining blood pressure levels and preventing constipation (hence its popularity among athletes). Magnesium also helps lower cholesterol levels by increasing the excretion of bile acids into urine, thereby reducing absorption of cholesterol into our digestive tracts (1).
Dark chocolate contains flavonoids like cocoa flavanols that have anti-inflammatory effects on smooth muscle tissue within arteries leading towards capillaries so they relax slightly–this makes them easier to pass through without causing blockages when we exercise or get hurt; this also leads us toward feeling less stressed out too!
Conclusion
Dark chocolate may be your secret weapon to a longer life. If you want to see what all the fuss is about, start by eating a small amount of dark chocolate every day. Then, try a few other ways to incorporate it into your daily routine!
