Chocolate is made from the fruits of the tropical evergreen tree Theobroma cacao , which grows in South America. People knew this rich taste already in the days of the ancient Olmec civilization, more than a thousand years before our era. After Europeans discovered America, chocolate became very popular all over the world. Gradually invented new varieties and recipes for this treat.
It is well known that real dark chocolate is healthier than its milk and white varieties. Ideally, it is made from fried chocolate tree beans, cocoa butter and sugar. In this case, the proportion of cocoa ranges from 70% to 99%.
Dark chocolate tastes less sweet than milk. That is why it is popular with many people around the world.
One ounce of this aromatic treat contains many antioxidants, flavonoids and vitamins. Other healthful nutrients found in dark chocolate are soluble fiber, potassium, manganese, zinc, selenium, copper, magnesium, and iron.
Like other types of this delicacy, dark dark chocolate is quite high-calorie and contains sugar. But when used in moderation, it can positively affect your health. Many studies conducted independently in different countries have confirmed this fact.
What is the use of bitter chocolate, and what are the benefits for lovers of sweets from their addiction?
The right tool for students
Is there a responsible mental work, a difficult exam or dinner with relatives? Studies at the University of Nottingham showed that one piece of dark chocolate is enough to temporarily, for two to three hours, stimulate the brain. This effect is achieved due to the fact that flavonol, one of the key components of dark chocolate, has the beneficial property of expanding blood vessels. Because of this, more oxygen can enter key areas of the brain, improving attention span, reaction time, and memory.
By the way, some other foods with a high content of flavonol have a similar effect: green tea, blueberries.
Chocolate helps the eyes
For the same reasons, that is, due to a more intense flow of blood to the retina and brain, dark chocolate can improve vision. Researchers have found that drinking moderate amounts of dark chocolate favorably affects a person’s ability, for example, to notice movement and distinguish between faint contrasts.
Sweet antidepressant
In order to relieve stress or raise a bad mood, dark (the most delicious) chocolate is an excellent tool. The fact is that it helps to increase the level of the neurotransmitter serotonin, which acts as a mild natural antidepressant.
A study conducted by Swiss scientists from the Nestle research center confirms that eating half a bar of dark chocolate per day for 2 weeks helps reduce stress hormones. In addition, dark chocolate contains a lot of magnesium, which is also indispensable in the fight against stress, fatigue, depression and irritability.
Hypertensive Dessert
What else is bitter chocolate good for? If your blood pressure rises slightly, a small bite a day helps normalize it. According to medical studies, cocoa polyphenols helped reduce hypertension in 18% of participants aged 56 to 73 years who consumed about 6 g of dark chocolate (containing 30 mg of polyphenols) per day for 18 weeks.
How it works? Flavonol stimulates the endothelium (arterial wall) to produce nitric oxide. Further, in turn, nitric oxide helps to relax the arteries. Resistance to blood flow is reduced, and thus pressure is normalized.
In the future, this helps chocolate lovers to avoid problems such as heart failure, atherosclerosis, atrial fibrillation, and reduces the risk of various cognitive impairments (such as dementia).
The most enjoyable diabetes prevention
Chocolate not only helps maintain healthy blood vessels, but also helps protect the body against type II diabetes. Flavonoids reduce insulin resistance, which allows cells to function and use their body's insulin efficiently. Moreover, it is dark black chocolate that has a rather low glycemic index, in other words, it will not cause huge spikes in sugar levels.
Delicacy for heart health
Dark chocolate can slightly reduce the chance of cardiovascular disease by lowering the amount of bad cholesterol (LDL), according to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
In addition, cocoa can increase HDL (the so-called “good cholesterol”). It is not yet clear whether this is due to the presence of flavonoids and theobromine in cocoa.
Treat yourself during a cold
Speaking about the usefulness of bitter chocolate, one cannot but mention that it contains a special substance - theobromine, which helps to restrain cough.
Scientists from the British National Health Service have proposed taking theobromine twice to three hundred patients suffering from chronic cough. Two weeks later, they found that 60 percent of people taking the substance felt relieved by coughing. Another study in London confirmed these findings.
Delicious solution to a delicate problem
What else is bitter chocolate good for? It has long been observed that it can relieve the symptoms of diarrhea. Why is this happening? Flavonoids bind and inhibit a special protein (CFTR) that regulates fluid secretion in the small intestine, and the result is not long in coming.
Moderation is everything
Over the past many years, chocolate has received many negative reviews in the media. Its use has been associated with the occurrence of acne, obesity, coronary heart disease, and diabetes.
But, despite its unenviable reputation, dark - the most delicious chocolate, and even not so terrible for the figure and health. Today it is appreciated for its tremendous antioxidant potential. A relatively recent discovery of bioactive phenolic compounds found in cocoa has stimulated research into its effects on aging, hypertension and atherosclerosis. And when choosing sweets for tea, the main thing to remember: the higher the cocoa content, the more health benefits in a chocolate bar and less unnecessary sugar.
Thus, this delicious dessert can be a useful treat - but only as long as it is consumed in reasonable quantities.