5 reasons to eat dark chocolate |
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Do you feel guilty when you eat chocolate? Well, you shouldn't!
The ancient Mayans believed it to be the food of the gods and they were not mistaken: chocolate is actually excellent for your health.
Of course, this applies to dark chocolate.
In fact, the darker the chocolate is, the better it is for your health.
5 good reasons why it is good to eat dark chocolate
1. Heart health - dark chocolate protects the heart and cardiovascular system. Clinical research suggests that a few squares of chocolate a day reduce blood pressure, improve blood circulation, prevent blood clots and reduce the level of LDL (harmful) cholesterol.
2. Antidepressant - chocolate contains serotonin, which acts against depression, and endorphins, known for giving a sense of well-being. Chocolate has long been known as an aphrodisiac, which makes it a popular gift on Valentine's Day.
3. Treasure trove of antioxidants - dark chocolate and cocoa are rich in antioxidants - natural compounds that can be found in fruits, vegetables, grains and nuts. Antioxidants protect our body from premature aging and many diseases, including cancer
4. Regulation of sugar - regardless of its sweet taste, dark chocolate has a low glycemic index. This means that eating dark chocolate does not raise blood sugar levels, which is good news for diabetics. And that is not all – flavonoids found in dark chocolate actually treat diabetes as they improve cell sensitivity to insulin and glucose.
5. Important minerals - like other representatives of the plant world, chocolate contains a number of vitamins and minerals. It is rich in copper, magnesium, calcium, potassium and iron.
Why dark chocolate?
- Dark chocolate contains more antioxidants than milk, because it has a higher proportion of cocoa
- Dark chocolate has fewer calories, it causes satiety and contains a lot of fibers - which is desirable for the people who want to lose weight
Myths and facts about chocolate
1. Chocolate contains a lot of caffeine
Not true. Chocolate contains small amounts of caffeine. One dark chocolate (100 g) contains the same amount of caffeine as a cup of coffee.
2. Chocolate causes acne
Not exactly true. Studies have not shown a link between acne and consumption of chocolate, even in large quantities.
3. Chocolate causes tooth decay
Not true. More and more scientists are increasingly agreeing that is not necessarily sugar that causes decay, but any food that stays in the mouth for a long time.
For example, snacks and dried fruits can easily get stuck between the teeth and become a cause of tooth decay.
4. A lot of people are allergic to chocolate
This is a misconception. Allergy to cocoa is rare. People may be allergic to milk, eggs, soy, wheat and nuts which can be found in chocolate. If you are allergic, carefully read the labels and buy dark chocolate which does not contain these allergens.
Do not go overboard with chocolate
As any food, chocolate requires moderation. Eating chocolate is good, but not if you eat too much of it.
A few squares of dark chocolate a day is enough for you to obtain the benefit of antioxidants and minerals it contains.
The healthiest chocolate comes from biological farming and it does not contain white sugar.
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