By healthyandnaturalworld
If you are a chocolate lover like me, then I have some great news for you today. Multiple studies show that dark chocolate is loaded with nutrients and can positively affect your health.
But don’t get me wrong here… although there are plenty of health benefits, chocolate is unfortunately also high in calories coming from fat and sugar. So don’t swap all your veggie and fruit snacks with chocolate. Like with many things in life, moderation is the key here.
How Much And Which Chocolate Can You Eat To Reap Its Health Benefits?
Always opt for dark chocolate with the highest cocoa content (at least 70%). Dark chocolate contains polyphenols and flavanols, which work as an antioxidant to protect your body from damage done by free radicals. Unrefined raw cocoa also contains epicatechins, another powerful antioxidants, but it has a bitter taste and is therefore often removed from commercially available chocolate.
Good quality dark chocolate also contains more soluble fibers and a wide range of essential minerals such as iron, magnesium, copper, manganese, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, and selenium.
Avoid milk or white chocolate. Milk interferes with antioxidant absorption and white chocolate is actually one big sugar bomb. Research suggests 7 grams of dark chocolate a day, or half a bar a week, is the ideal amount to reap the benefits.
Dark chocolate is one of the superfoods mentioned in the e-book about superfoods which is part of the Natural Health Revolution Program. This program will help you to achieve your health, nutrition and weight loss goals.
DARK CHOCOLATE AS A NATURAL MEDICINE
1. Reduce Your Cholesterol
Regular consumption of dark chocolate may reduce your cholesterol. Its antioxidants protect oxidation of LDL cholesterol and prevents artery damage. Find here 10 simple and effective ways to lower cholesterol naturally.
2. Overall Heart Health
Not only will dark chocolate help you to reduce cholesterol, it lowers the risk of plaque, prevents blood clotting and strokes when eaten in moderation.
3. Hot Raw Chocolate For A Cough
Chocolate contains theobromine which soothes a cough and has a similar effect to codeine. So try a hot cup of almond milk and raw cocoa when you have a cough.
4. Reduce Insulin Resistance Naturally
Dark chocolate prevents insulin resistance and protects your body for many insulin related diseases like diabetes and heart disease. And indeed dark chocolate is one of the 12 best foods to control diabetes.
5. Lower Your Blood Pressure
Flavanols help your arteries to relax, which lowers blood flow and blood pressure. Find here more information on how to reduce high blood pressure naturally.
6. Reduce Stress Levels
Dark chocolate contains magnesium, which gives us a happy, feel good vibe and lifts our spirit. And there is more – compounds found in dark chocolate lower cortisol levels to relax body and mind. You can find here 14 effective natural remedies for stress and anxiety.
7. Dark Chocolate Protects Your Skin
Flavonoids in dark chocolate protect your skin from UV damage. But don´t see it as your new sunscreen, you still need that when going out in the sun.
8. Good for Your Brain
Flavonols boost blood flow to your brain and make you more alert, focused, and awake and prevent memory loss. Find here more information on how to improve your brain function naturally.
9. Natural Painkiller
Chocolate stimulates our body to produce calming and pain relieving endorphins.
If you are a dark chocolate and raw cocoa lover like me, then this is good news. And I assume it will be no problem to add some chocolate to your daily diet. But keep in mind moderation is a key here. I love raw cocoa powder in my morning smoothies or once in a while I indulge myself with a small piece of dark chocolate or enjoy a hot cup of cocoa. You can also find heredelicious cocoa smoothie recipes to boost your health.
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