Dark chocolate contains healthy minerals like magnesium, iron, and zinc. Additionally, the cocoa found in dark chocolate also contains antioxidants that help provide many health benefits.
Chocolate comes from cacao, which is the real reason for dark chocolate benefits. The cacao plant is high in minerals. Here are some dark chocolate benefits;
It Contains Antioxidants
One of the chocolate benefits comes from the antioxidant properties of cacao. These include polyphenols and flavanols. These are used to prevent oxidative stress and neutralize free radicals.
Oxidative stress is damage that occurs due to an excess of free radicals that can inflict the tissues and cells in your body. Additionally, oxidative stress does contribute to the process of natural aging.
With time, the effects caused by oxidative stress can contribute to the development of different diseases such as;
- Diabetes,
- Heart Disease
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Parkinson’s disease
- Cancer
- Eye disease
Controls the Risk of Heart Disease
Eating dark chocolate regularly will help in reducing the likelihood of heart disease. This is because some of the compounds found in dark chocolate, most specifically the flavanols, have two significant factors when it comes to heart disease; They control cholesterol and high blood pressure.
Helps control blood pressure
In this case, chocolate benefits result from dark chocolate flavanols that usually stimulate your body’s nitric oxide production. Nitric oxide usually causes your blood vessels to widen, dilate, improve blood flow, and lower blood pressure.
Lowers Cholesterol
The best dark chocolate for weight loss should help lower your cholesterol. Dark chocolate compounds such as polyphenols will reduce the levels of cholesterol in your body and increase the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.
Helps with Anti-Inflammatory Effects
When you eat dark chocolate, you will reduce the risk of inflammation in your body. Inflammation is your body’s response to harmful substances and germs, but chronic inflammation can also damage tissues and cells.
The dark chocolate benefits include anti-inflammatory properties that will reduce inflammation in your body.
Resistance to Insulin
Sometimes, your body will resist insulin, which can cause abnormal blood glucose levels. This leads to a prediabetes state or a type 2 diabetes diagnosis. Eating dark chocolate regularly will help blood sugar levels by lowering fasting glucose levels and reducing resistance to insulin.
Helps with your Brain Function
Regular intake of dark chocolate will help improve your brain function and prevent neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. The dark chocolate benefits, in this case, are due to the presence of flavonoids, which help the brain reorganize itself and particularly when it comes to disease and injuries.