What's all the fuss over the last few years about dark chocolate health benefits? Actually, in moderation dark chocolate has benefits similar to those of green tea or red wine, only more so.
Benefits
Several studies have demonstrated that lowered blood pressure is one of the primary health benefits of eating moderate amounts of dark chocolate.
How Does It Work?
Dark chocolate is very high in antioxidants, which protect the body from cell damage caused by exposure to the world, helping to reduce or counteract some of the effects normally atributed to aging. This protection results in improved blood circulation, and lower blood pressure. Read more about the dark chocolate blood pressure connection here.
But Wait, There's More
The antioxidants found in dark chocolate are similar to those found in green tea and red wine. In fact, dark chocolate has significantly more antioxidants than either of these. In addition to lowered blood pressure, these antioxidants have been shown to provide other benefits, such as lower cholesterol and protection from heart disease, stroke, and cancer. Read more about the antioxidants in dark chocolate here.
And a Little More
Also not yet proven, but suspected, dark chocolate health benefits include: decreased complications in pregnant women, boosted brain function and delayed brain decline with aging, some protection against tooth decay, improves post-workout muscle recovery, and protects against the skin damage effects of the sun's ultra-violet (UV) radiation such as wrinkling and possibly even skin cancer.
Studies for more dark chocolate health benefits are still underway, such as a study funded by Bill and Melinda Gates to determine if dark chocolate can help prevent malaria.
So Why Only Dark Chocolate?
Why are all of these various health benefits attributed to dark chocolate? Why not milk chocolate or white chocolate? The answer is "processing". Raw cocoa contains the most antioxidants. Essentially, the raw cocoa is processed the least to produce dark chocolate. More processing, and removal of more antioxidants, produces milk chocolate, and even more processing (basically leaving no antioxidants) is required for white chocolate. The higher the percentage of cocoa in your dark chocolate, the higher the antioxidants, and the greater the benefits. Read more about how dark chocolate is made from raw cocoa here.
OK, What's the Catch?
Yes, there is a catch. Actually, two catches. First, although dark chocolate is lower in calories than other chocolate, all chocolate is high calorie. The dark chocolate health benefits can quickly be counter balanced by the health problems of weight gain that could be caused by overindulgence. As is true for many of the good things in life, moderation is the key.
The second catch is milk. It turns out that the health benefits of dark chocolate are basically negated if the dark chocolate is consumed with milk.
Chocolate is Bad For Pets
Oh! There's a catch for pets, too. Chocolate in any form contains theobromine, which is toxic to cats, dogs, horses, parrots, and small rodents.
To Maximize Health Benefits
Let's admit it. None of us are eating dark chocolate just for
the
health benefits, right? But, we can adjust our consumption to
maximize the dark chocolate health benefits by following these 4 steps:
Conclusion
We eat dark chocolate because we love it! But, bonus, there are health benefits, too! Follow a few guidelines, and common sense about portion size, and you, too, can reap the health benefits of dark chocolate.
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