Who says you can’t have chocolate and stay healthy? Those who eat dark chocolate can lower their blood pressure and fight off heart disease. It fights free radicals, too. Unlike other types of chocolate, dark chocolate is packed full of antioxidants, the molecules that eliminate free radicals that lead to all types of diseases. It has eight times the amount of antioxidants than strawberries, making it a superfood for its disease fighting qualities. But hold the milk; studies show that milk interferes with the absorption of antioxidants.
Dark chocolate contains flavanoids called procyanidins and epicatechins; these are specific kinds of antioxidants known as polyphenols that are found in red wine, tea, and many fruits and vegetables. It also increases the blood flow in the arteries and helps reduce the risk of blood clots. If you have mildly high blood pressure, dark chocolate may help reduce it. The serotonin found in it can boost your mood and increase feelings of pleasure, also triggering a rise in endorphins. Nutritionally speaking, calcium, magnesium and potassium are another benefit of consuming dark chocolate on a regular basis.
While dark chocolate does contain fat, the type of fat present plays a large role in its health benefits. Oleic acid, which is also found in olive oil, is the fat that helps reduce bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol. Stearic acid is also a fat, but it is said to have a neutral effect on cholesterol, not affecting it at all. The only type of fat to watch out for is palmiric acid, which can increase the risk for heart disease. This only makes up one third of the fat content in dark chocolate.
This doesn’t mean that you can eat as much chocolate as you wish. Dark chocolate is still high in calories and fat, no matter how beneficial the fat may be. If you are looking for quick weight loss, you might want to keep this out of your diet. If you do choose to eat it, the dark chocolate will replace something else in your diet and you will need to cut those calories out. If cravings or hunger are a problem, you might want to add a natural appetite suppressant like hoodia. This will keep you feeling full so you don’t overeat.
Tags: Chocolate, Eating, Healthy, Stay