Table of Contents
ToggleBenefits of Dark Chocolate
Index
Benefits of Dark Chocolate
Benefits of Dark Chocolate for the Brain
Cocoa Ratio May Determine Effect of Dark Chocolate
How Many Grams of Dark Chocolate Can Be Consumed Per Day?
Chocolate is a food that was discovered in ancient times and has survived to the present time. It is consumed by everyone from children to adults and even to the elderly in daily life. In addition to its delicious taste, chocolate also has benefits.
Chocolate is a product with a wide range of consumption. There are many varieties as it is included in most products. Chocolate can basically be diversified into milk, dark and white chocolate. The main reason for this distinction is the amount of cocoa it contains. White chocolate contains only cocoa butter and sugar, while it does not contain cocoa. Milk chocolate, on the other hand, contains milk or milk powder, cocoa butter, cocoa and sugar. Dark chocolate is popularly known as bitter chocolate or dark chocolate because it is generally known for its bitterness. It consists only of cocoa butter, cocoa and sugar. Dark chocolate contains more intense cocoa than milk chocolate and is usually sold with phrases as a percentage according to the cocoa ratio in the chocolates on the market. For example, it is the cocoa ratio in expressions such as 60%-70% on the chocolate packaging. According to this ratio, the quality of dark chocolate changes.
Benefits of Dark Chocolate
There is a lot of research done on dark chocolate. These studies provide some health benefits of dark chocolate, which contains at least 60-70% cocoa, depending on the cocoa ratio, and is consumed in moderation. A few of these benefits are:
Dark chocolate has a very strong antioxidant capacity with the effect of cocoa substances in it. It can be said that the higher the raw cocoa content, the higher the antioxidant content. In studies on bad cholesterol, namely LDL, it has been observed that dark chocolate products reduce the level of lipid cholesterol. It also helps to remove toxins from the body due to its high antioxidant content.
There are also studies showing that dark chocolate is good for high blood pressure disease. Dark chocolate supports nitric oxide production thanks to its rich flavonoid and epicatechin content. The increased nitric oxide causes the vessels to dilate, thereby lowering blood pressure. This also lowers blood pressure. Thus, while dark chocolate has an important place in vascular health, it also has an effect on reducing the risks of high blood pressure and related diseases.
On the other hand, it has been stated in studies that support of nitric oxide synthesis decreases fatty acid synthesis, while glucose and fat oxidation, that is, destruction, increases. At the same time, cocoa consumption supports some digestive enzymes. In this case, with the effect of the substances in dark chocolate, it reduces the formation of fat and has positive effects on weight control. In this context, another feature of bitters that can be counted as benefits is its effect on reducing the risk of obesity.
In heart diseases, the cocoa ratio in dark chocolate has properties that support the healing factors. There are many studies that show that LDL cholesterol, which is generally high in heart patients and known as bad cholesterol among the people, decreases thanks to the flavonoids and antioxidant content in dark chocolate. At the same time, HDL cholesterol, which is also known as good cholesterol among the people, increased in proportion to the consumption of dark chocolate. Atherosclerosis, known as atherosclerosis, is the previous stage of heart disease, but the improvement of these blood fat values also reduces the risk of atherosclerosis. This information shows that blood lipid levels, which are especially effective in heart disease, are effective in bringing dark chocolate to healthy levels with controlled consumption.
Another area where dark chocolate benefits is insulin resistance. Insulin hormone comes into play when the level of sugar in the blood increases and lowers blood sugar. If this process is interrupted, blood sugar will increase, but a healthy blood sugar decrease cannot be achieved. This condition can be defined as insulin resistance. In case of insulin resistance, the cocoa and flavonoids contained in dark chocolate indirectly regulate the functions of insulin and bring blood sugar to a healthy level. However, attention should be paid to the amount of consumption of dark chocolate due to the insulin and sugar connection. This benefit is seen when consumed in small portions, but when consumed in excess, the risk of type 2 diabetes and weight gain can be seen due to its sugar content.
Another situation considered as dark chocolate benefits is that various substances in it provide benefits by supporting the secretion of happiness hormones in case of stress. Because of this feature, it can be recommended that people who are generally depressed should consume dark chocolate with high cocoa content. However, attention should be paid to the amount of consumption.
Dark chocolate; It contains magnesium, zinc, iron, manganese, calcium, copper, sulphur, potassium and some B group vitamins and vitamin E. It has a protective feature against muscle contractions, especially due to its magnesium content. Dark chocolate, with its other rich mineral content, supports the intake of minerals in the body. In addition, these minerals have an important place in heart health.
Dark chocolate also has positive effects on intestinal health. There are studies showing that the number of beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, which are beneficial bacteria, increases in the intestines of individuals who consume dark chocolate. In addition, the substances in cocoa have a reducing effect on the risk of tumors in the intestine.
Due to the polyphenols in dark chocolate, it can improve skin health by increasing the elasticity of the skin. It also supports the vitality of the skin by providing blood flow to the veins on the skin.
Another benefit is the effect of dark chocolate with high cocoa content on immunity. Studies show that people who eat dark chocolate with a high cocoa content reduce inflammation in their bodies.
Another of the benefits of dark chocolate is its aphrodisiac effect, which is said more among the people. No data were found for this effect in studies. However, with the effect of antioxidants in it, it can increase sexual desire due to vasodilation, acceleration of heartbeat, secretion of happiness hormone and sugar content. This can be defined as an aphrodisiac by the people.
Benefits of Dark Chocolate for the Brain
It has been shown in studies that dark chocolate benefits the body from blood fats to insulin resistance, from heart diseases to stress. In addition to these, another known benefit of dark chocolate, namely cocoa, has beneficial effects on brain functions. Studies have shown that cocoa in dark chocolate expands the cerebral vessels and provides faster blood flow to the brain. This improves the memory, supporting the retention of most things for a longer period of time. In addition, it improves concentration by increasing attention with the caffeine it contains.
Cocoa Ratio May Determine Effect of Dark Chocolate
The healthy effects of dark chocolate, especially cocoa in it, on cognitive factors due to substances such as polyphenols, caffeine, theobromine, have been supported by many studies. In addition, the cocoa in dark chocolate has a reducing effect on the risk of stroke. In order to provide these benefits, consuming dark chocolate in controlled amounts for a long time is also among the studies.
How Many Grams of Dark Chocolate Can Be Consumed Per Day?
In order to provide the mentioned benefits, dark chocolate with the highest cocoa content should be preferred and the consumption measure should be observed. It should not be forgotten that chocolate is consumed very fondly and contains sugar, in addition to its many benefits. Due to its sugar content, it should be consumed with caution, especially by people suffering from diabetes, obesity and dental problems.
The amount to be consumed daily is a maximum of 20-30 g of dark chocolate containing at least 60% cocoa per day. Among these figures, it is known that consuming dark chocolate provides a protection against heart disease. At the same time, this figure, which is ideal for seeing other benefits, should not be exceeded. An expert should be consulted for the right dark chocolate cocoa ratio, amount and recommendations for the person.