Health benefits of dark chocolate
Dark chocolate contains flavonoid antioxidants, inhibit lipid peroxidation, keep the body free of free radicals which which cause oxidative damage to human cells.
Dark chocolate helps vasculate and relax constricted blood vessels.
Dark chocolate has a low glycemic index and wont cause big spikes in blood sugar. Flavonoids in dark chocolate help reduce insulin resistance in the body by helping cells function normally and help the body use insulin efficiently. Dark chocolate protects against type 2 diabetes, helps keep circulation unimpaired and assists in keeping blood vessels healthy.
Dark chocolate contains phenylethylamine (PEA), the same chemical your brain makes when falling in love. PEA causes the brain to release endorphins which stimulate happiness.
Theobromine found in dark chocolate hardens tooth enamel.
Try eating a small amount of dark chocolate and take notice of the feeling of calmness in the brain. Dark chocolate increases blood flow to the brain and the heart, so it can help improve cognitive function. Dark chocolate will also reduce your risk of stroke.
Most dark chocolate candy bars and candies today have been sweetened so much over years of confectionery to make its slight bitterness more pallatable and as a result loses allot of its vitamins and mineral antioxidants. To get the benefits of dark chocolate find the chocolate bars in your local grocery store or specialty market like World Market that contain at least 70% cacao as seen in the photo above.
While this article may take the guilt out of eating chocolate remember that chocolate is high in fat so its best to only consume about an ounce or 1 one ounce candy bar a couple times a week. Milk chocolate is sweeter to most but does not have the same health benefits as dark chocolate.
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