Dark chocolate has always been a heavenly food for chocoholics. If you’re a real foodie and always bring quality cuisine to your table, then you must be familiar with dark chocolate health benefits. However, chocolate is a roasted, sweetened, and flavored food available in several forms ranging from solid to liquid. Which one would you like to have if you’re a first-time user? Of course, you prefer a solid form of chocolate that is highly beneficial.
The solid or chocolate bar not just tastes good, but it does have some health benefits as well. On top of that, you not only enjoy the taste, but you come across pretty versatile flavors that take you to another world.
Want to experience the natural health benefits of chocolate? From protecting your heart to an increased level of antioxidants, dark chocolate can provide many health benefits. Undoubtedly, it helps to maintain your overall health and allows you to live a balanced life.
First, take a look at the nutritional content of this fabulous delight!
Nutritional Content of Dark ChocolateCacao Percentages
Want to know some dark chocolate nutrition facts? It’s none other than cacao that seems to be the leading ingredient in dark chocolate. The more you include cacao, the less it carries sugar and milk to make a strong chocolate. Approximately, 70% cacao makes healthy dark chocolate and is full of nutritional value.
AntioxidantsWhile looking at the nutritional content of dark chocolate, you’ll also find antioxidants in chocolate that have so many health benefits. Antioxidants protect cells from damage that gets active because of free radicals.
Free radicals are harmful molecules that can contribute to aging, disease, and inflammation. These antioxidants also play a crucial role in improving heart health and maintaining the working of the body.
Minerals and VitaminsIs dark chocolate healthy? Yes, it’s a healthy food that contains minerals and vitamins, even you’ll find a good amount of zinc, magnesium, and iron in the dark chocolate. Importantly, minerals help to improve your immune system and boost energy. As far as Vitamin B6 is concerned, it keeps your mood happy and enhances the performance of brain function.
FiberIf you are looking at some amazing dark chocolate nutrition facts, you have no chance to ignore fiber from the chocolate that helps to maintain healthy digestion and keeps you away from constipation. Further, you may find 3 grams of fiber in one ounce of chocolate that people consume.
Calories and Fat
Apart from fiber nutrients, you may also find calories and fats in dark chocolate. No doubt, chocolate contains 12 grams of saturated fat and 170 calories that people consume as a balanced diet. The excess of everything is bad, so one should eat dark chocolate keeping in mind the nutritional value that the body requires.
Let’s have a look at some natural dark chocolate health benefits!
Natural Health Benefits of Dark ChocolateWhy is dark chocolate good for you? It is good due to the presence of antioxidants, vitamins, and fats in dark chocolate. Let's discuss some natural health benefits of dark chocolate!
Cardiovascular HealthLowering Blood Pressure
Flavonol is an antioxidant that works great to reduce blood pressure levels. Flavonols also provide support against deadly heart diseases and strokes. It’s so beneficial for cardiovascular health. Further, you don’t feel cravings for unhealthy food due to the presence of cocoa which keeps you full by suppressing your appetite.
Improving Blood FlowAre you looking for a healthy dark chocolate that can boost your health? Dark chocolate seems to be an outstanding choice that improves blood flow and reduces blood clots in the body. The presence of flavanol is more than a blessing in the chocolate that improves the circulation of blood throughout the body.
Reducing the Risk of Heart DiseaseIs dark chocolate good for your heart? Of course, there are many benefits of dark chocolate for the heart. You probably won’t have heard about the benefit of reducing the risk of heart disease. Thankfully, dark chocolate protects against heart disease and reduces the risk of cancer and stroke.
Brain functionBoosting Cognitive Function
Dark chocolate has endless benefits that improve the functioning of the brain. It’s a perfect sweet bar that boosts cognitive function by increasing blood flow in the body. The entire credit goes to the amount of flavanols present in dark chocolate which is essential for the growth and survival of brain cells.
Dark Chocolate is a Natural Mood EnhancerWhy is dark chocolate good for you? You can find plenty of reasons, but the one that relates to your mood is just fabulous. Undoubtedly, dark chocolate is a perfect mood booster that contains phenylethylamine (PEA) which naturally increases the dopamine levels in the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that boosts the feeling of pleasure and happiness. Therefore, dark chocolate enhances your mood and makes you happy.
Blood Sugar RegulationReducing Insulin Resistance
Dark chocolate may also have benefits for blood sugar regulation, as it always improves insulin sensitivity and reduces insulin resistance due to the presence of flavonoids in dark chocolate.
Lowering the Risk of DiabetesIf you’re diabetic patient and love to consume chocolate, you can have it with confidence. Dark chocolate for diabetes isn’t harmful at all. It keeps a check on sugar and reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes. The reason is the addition of flavonols that work excellent in the body.
Skin Health
Protecting Against Sun DamageThe flavanols in dark chocolate can also have benefits for skin health by protecting against UV damage from the sun. Experts have discovered that the consumption of dark chocolate is so effective for skin health. It protects the skin against sun exposure.
Improving Hydration and ElasticityDark chocolate also contains compounds that can improve skin hydration and elasticity. The addition of flavonoids in dark chocolate is a nutritional fact that plays a highly important role in increasing the blood flow and improving the hydration at the same time. Additionally, the antioxidants in dark chocolate can protect against damage that leads to aging and wrinkles.
