Most of us love to enjoy a good piece of chocolate – some of us crave it. However, most chocolate bars satisfy diet plans and sweet tooths indicating that it should be a treat once in a while and not a daily indulgence. Or would it be advisable to do it again? Here’s what the science says, if you eat quality dark chocolate with a high cocoa content, it can actually be very nutritious! Focusing on this, we learn that the higher the cocoa composition, the greater the impact on intuition, memory, mood, sensitivity and other valuable effects. According to a 2012 study, there have been at least 42 short-term clinical trials that have tracked the beneficial effects of cocoa consumption!
1. Lowers blood pressure
Substances called flavanols in cocoa act as drug-like inhibitors. Flavanols stimulate the body to release nitrous oxide into the blood, which helps dilate the veins. Australian researchers found that regular cocoa consumption reduced a person’s systolic pulse (blood flow through the heart) and diastolic circulatory strain (blood flow through the heart). Although 1% of people involved had stomach tremors!
2. Prevents liver damage
Chocolate’s beneficial effects on circulatory pressure come from its high flavanol content and nitrous oxide, which dilates veins. Hepatic venous hypertension is known to be associated with liver damage and chronic liver disease. Preliminary studies have shown that dark chocolate improves blood flow to the liver, and learning about whether dark chocolate can prevent liver damage is only intensifying. However, try not to have that second glass of wine just yet.
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3. It can improve brain function
A study of vigorous exercisers found that consuming high-flavanol cocoa for five days increased blood flow to the brain. In addition, cocoa contains energizing substances like caffeine and theobromine, another main reason behind the consumption of dark chocolate can further develop the brain power.
4. Keeps your heart healthy
According to research published in the BMJ, each of chocolate’s effects on the circulatory system — slowing the pulse, dilating veins and lowering blood pressure — can help keep our hearts healthy and ward off coronary disease and stroke. A study examining more than 114,000 people found that those who ate the most chocolate had a 37% lower risk of coronary disease and a 29% lower risk of stroke than those who did not eat the most chocolate.
5. Makes you feel good
A study in the Journal of Psychopharmacology found that people who consumed 42 grams of dark chocolate per day felt more satisfied than those who did not. June Sangani, a dietitian and representative of the English Dietetic Association, explains why: “The pleasure that people get from eating chocolate comes from the serotonin and endorphin – great synthetic chemicals in the brain – vibes.”
6. Increases brain power
A study in the Journal of Psychopharmacology found that people who consumed 42 grams of eggnog chocolate drink per day felt happier than those who did not. June Sangani, a dietitian and representative of the English Dietetic Association, explains why: “The pleasure that people get from eating chocolate comes from the serotonin and endorphin – great synthetic chemicals in the brain – vibes.”
7. Keeps you slim
‘Overall, those who ate it occasionally were thinner than those who ate it all – even after including a variety of foods in their diet.
8. It can help you with your workouts
The flavonol in chocolate, epicatechin, can help you persevere and exercise! Experts suggest that to get the best results from your workout, you should eat about half a square of chocolate per day. Obviously, as the saying goes, you can consume too much of something that is otherwise good, so eating too much can negate the beneficial effects!
9. Renovates blood vessels
Eating a limited amount of chocolate each day can help clear your nerves. A review distributed by the Organization of American Social Order for Trial Science found that men who ate 70 grams of dark chocolate per day had better nerves afterward. Dark chocolate helps ducts become more flexible and reduces the stiffness of white platelets, two factors that help reduce the risk of them becoming clogged.
10. Protects your skin
A study published in the journal Nutrition found that people who ate 20 grams of dark chocolate per day for 12 weeks spent twice as much time in front of a UV lamp before their skin turned red compared to those who ate regular chocolate.