Dark chocolate is definitely healthy. It contains ingredients that have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. In addition, their consumption can, among other things, lower blood pressure, as well as the risk of stroke and heart disease.
Most chocolate has a low cocoa content, is very sweet and not really healthy. In the case of dark chocolate or dark chocolate, however, the cocoa content is significantly higher and the taste is less sweet. Consuming them can actually provide health benefits.
What ingredients make dark chocolate healthy?
Dark chocolate has a high content of flavonoids. These are ingredients with antiviral, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, explains nutritionist Beth Czerwony from the Cleveland Clinic in the USA.
“So when we look at these properties, it is directly related to cardiovascular health – lowering blood pressure, reducing the risk of stroke and reducing heart disease overall,” she said in a recent press release.
It is beneficial for your health if you make sure when shopping to choose dark chocolate that has a cocoa content of 70 or 85 percent. However, the higher the cocoa content, the bitterer the taste.
Although chocolate with a cocoa content of 85 percent tastes bitterer, it has the advantage that its consumption has been proven to have a mood-enhancing effect in addition to the effects already mentioned, the expert adds.
When buying chocolate, you should also make sure that the chocolate contains no additives if possible. In general, the fewer ingredients, the better.
How much dark chocolate is allowed?
Even with dark chocolate, excessive consumption should be avoided. According to Czerwony, research has suggested that you should consume a serving of about 28 grams a maximum of three times a week to achieve health benefits.
Beneficial for the cardiovascular system
The benefits of dark chocolate for blood pressure have also been confirmed by a study. The results show that the biologically active components of dark chocolate (e.g. catechins, procyanidins, theobromine, as well as added sucrose and lipids) influence the cardiovascular system.
According to the researchers, the cocoa it contains improves blood pressure, platelet aggregation and endothelial function in people with impaired metabolism. In addition, numerous previous studies have already shown that the consumption of cocoa clearly has cardiovascular benefits, reports the research team.
How does dark chocolate protect against cardiovascular disease?
The beneficial effect of dark chocolate on cardiovascular diseases is also clear in further research. The researchers explain that the effect is due to the fact that, among other things, dark chocolate has an antioxidant effect and improves endothelial function, vascular function and insulin sensitivity.
High cocoa content makes dark chocolate so healthy
In particular, the high cocoa content makes dark chocolate healthy because it has a beneficial effect on blood pressure, lipid metabolism, vascular functions and various aspects of quality of life, another study also confirms.
However, this comes to the conclusion that additional large-scale studies on humans are required in order to be able to recommend chocolate as part of a healthy diet. In principle, you should only consume moderate amounts of this chocolate, otherwise the potential health benefits will be reduced or eliminated. (as)
