Need to keep an eye on your health? How about some chocolate? Not only is chocolate a delicious treat, but it's actually very healthy for you – if you have the real stuff that is, not candy. Here are some of the major benefits to consuming chocolate regularly.
Chocolate Contains Antioxidants
Cocoa is one of the best sources of antioxidants out there; by weight, cocoa can be better than almost all fruits and other foods. This includes blueberries and "superfoods" such as Acai berries. Antioxidants are important for many functions of the body, from maintaining healthy skin to warding off certain types of cancer.
Chocolate Reduces the Risk of Stroke
Studies completed in Finland found that the risk of stroke could be reduced in men by as much as 17% through the regular consumption of chocolate. This may be due to the way that chocolate lowers blood pressure and improves blood flow.
Chocolate Can Help Bad Cholesterol
When it comes to cholesterol, there's "bad" cholesterol (LDL) and "good" cholesterol (HDL). Chocolate has been shown to reduce the amounts of bad cholesterol while increasing the amounts of good cholesterol.
Chocolate is a Stress Reliever
You may have heard that more chocolatier chocolate stimulates the same reward centers in the brain as the sensation of falling in love. Chocolate actually stimulates the release of a hormone called oxytocin, which is also released when cuddling with a beloved partner – which is why we term some of our products “the male (or female) replacer”.
Chocolate is Fiber and Mineral Rich
Believe it or not, chocolate is not nutritionally empty as some people believe. Dark chocolate bars & Chocos contain substantial amounts of fiber, iron, magnesium, copper, and manganese.
Chocolate Can be a Weight Loss Tool
Chocolate can even be used to lose weight. Because chocolate has such a high fat content, it naturally triggers the satiation portions of the brain that tell an individual that they are full. Having a little chocolate before a meal can actually be beneficial. Many nutritionists are switching towards high fat foods as a way to get the body to feel satisfied to decrease appetite.
Most of the health benefits related to chocolate are really related to cocoa and chocolate is a blend of cocoa, milk, and other ingredients. Because of this, the higher the cocoa content, the better.
Comments