The experts over at Vitabiotics have written this article about the positive benefits of dark chocolate that you need to be aware of.
1. Good for your heart
Studies have proven that eating small amounts of dark chocolate can actually lower blood pressure. This is due to the fact that it contains nitric oxide, which sends signals to the arteries to relax. Also, in the long-term, it may mean that less cholesterol will lodge in the arteries, preventing serious conditions such as heart disease and arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).
2. Good for the brain
Dark chocolate has been shown to have great positive effects on your mood and mental wellbeing. Dark chocolate contains the same hormone your brain responds to when you're in love, which could be why we feel ‘super’ when we eat it.
3. Reduces stress
So, when you hear people say they whip out a box of chocolates after work to help them relax, it is actually scientifically proven to help. When stressed, your body produces the hormone cortisol within your bloodstream. Despite this hormone being a normal human reaction, a prolonged period of it can have negative effects on stress levels and anxiety.
Research has shown that those who ate 40g of chocolate per day over two weeks had a reduced rate of Cortisol in their body than before the test, which may lead to a happier lifestyle.
4. Controls blood sugar
Eating small amounts of dark chocolate can maintain the health of your blood vessels and may even prevent conditions such as type 2 diabetes. Cocoa, particularly the flavonoids in dark chocolate could help cells function normally.
5. Good for skin
The flavanols within dark chocolate are said to be great for the skin. There are claims that they protect against sun damage and increase skin hydration. If you are planning a trip abroad anytime soon, it may be worth introducing some more flavanol-rich dark chocolate into your balanced and varied diet, in combination with a skin supplement such as Perfectil, which helps to nourish and support skin.
Tell me do you eat dark chocolate? Were you aware of the potential health benefits?
* Guest post
Great blog post. I hadn't realised there were so many positive aspects of eating it. It's one thing I'm defiantly going to be buying more of now x
ReplyDeleteThere are so many benefits, you need to have some every day :)
DeleteI am vegan, so I only eat dark chocolate. But I prefer it anyway, as I like the bitter taste.
ReplyDeleteAs a huge lover of chocolate I did know this it helped when scoffing a bar as I didn't feel to guilty lol x
ReplyDeleteLove this comment Jade!
DeleteI have to admit I do love dark chocolate, and who knew it was so good for you! x
ReplyDeleteI like milk chocolate but I am certainly going to eat more dark in future.
DeleteI love chocolate..all kinds of it. I didn't know dark chocolate had this extra added in bonuses.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, it's well documented, and who needs any excuse to eat more chocolate?
DeleteGreat post. I just love dark chocolates...
ReplyDeleteI love dark chocolate, and knew it had healthy qualities to it, but not everything you mentioned x
ReplyDeleteive never really been much a fan of dark chocolate until now , its definitely chocolate week though to be enjoying it x
ReplyDeleteI've always found dark chocolate to be a little too bitter for my tastes, but these health benefits are so amazing, I need to try it again!
ReplyDeleteI would prefer milk chocolate over dark chocolate but I also know that dark chocolate is so much better for your health so I will happily eat the dark chocolate!
ReplyDeleteI keep telling my husband I need to eat more dark chocolate because it has some great benefits. He never believes me, haha. I will have to show him these benefits again. :)I love dark chocolate!
ReplyDeleteI just love dark chocolate! Not sure I ever notice the health benefits apart from that it makes me feel better (so I guess that is the stress relief point).
ReplyDelete