Dark chocolate has health benefits, including lowering blood pressure and cholesterol, and containing antioxidants that protect against disease. It stimulates endorphin production and contains serotonin, but should not be consumed with milk and too much can lead to cavities and weight gain.
While some people enjoy dark chocolate for its flavor alone, there is more to this treat than just indulgence for the senses. Scientists have found that dark chocolate is really good for the body. This fact may encourage more people to choose it over sweeter alternatives, such as milk chocolate.
The health benefits of dark chocolate include a unique effect on a person’s blood pressure. Evidence suggests that people with mild cases of high blood pressure can help lower it by eating more dark chocolate. However, dark chocolate cannot replace treatments prescribed by a medical professional. Also, it’s not a good idea to eat too much dark chocolate, as doing so can lead to cavities and unwanted weight gain.
For some people, it’s surprising that something they enjoy as a snack is so healthy for their blood pressure. The key to understanding the health benefits of dark chocolate that are specific to lowering blood pressure is the plant phenols. Cocoa phenols found in dark chocolate are the compounds responsible for the blood pressure-lowering effect of dark chocolate.
Many people look for foods and drinks that are high in antioxidants, which protect the body from free radicals that can damage cells and contribute to the development of disease. Dark chocolate contains antioxidants, and eating it can help the body ward off things like cancer and heart disease. In fact, dark chocolate contains more antioxidants than some fruits, such as strawberries. The health benefits of dark chocolate even extend to lowering cholesterol. It can lower the bad type of cholesterol, known as LDL, by up to 10 percent.
To enjoy the antioxidant effects of dark chocolate, a person should not consume it with milk. Milk seems to interfere with the body’s ability to absorb the antioxidants it might otherwise get from chocolate. As such, milk chocolate does not offer the same health benefits.
Some people worry about the amount of fat in this type of chocolate, but even a small portion of the fat in chocolate is unhealthy. This type is called palmitic acid, and it can contribute to high cholesterol and an increased risk of developing heart disease. Fortunately, it only makes up about a third of the fat content of dark chocolate.
In addition to the health benefits of dark chocolate, this treat makes a person feel good. Stimulates the body to produce endorphins. It also contains substances that act as stimulants, making a person feel more alert and ready for action. It even contains a substance called serotonin, which can help prevent depression.
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