Some people are surprised to hear that there are, in fact, many health benefits to be had from chocolate. Dietitians, nutritionists, and researchers around the world might even call chocolate one of the “superfoods” for its heart-healthy chemical compounds and rich antioxidants.
1. Antioxidants in chocolate
Did you know that raw, unprocessed cacao is actually the richest antioxidant food in the world? Antioxidants help protect our bodies against the development of cancer, and it is recommended to get a minimum of 3,000 to 5,000 ORAC in antioxidants per day.
2. Cardiovascular benefits
The material that makes up cocoa helps reduce cardiovascular damage by increasing the production of good cholesterol (HDL). This essentially cleanses the blood vessels of harmful fats. The flavonoids found in cocoa help decrease the formation of clots that can damage the blood vessels of the heart muscle. These flavonoids allow stronger blood flow to the heart and allow blood vessels to dilate more easily. Additionally, cocoa has anti-inflammatory properties, which help prevent inflammation from damaging our bodies.
3. Blood pressure
Moderating our intake of dark chocolate on a regular basis helps lower blood pressure in a number of situations, which essentially helps lessen damage to the heart vessels. In the same way, coca is a renin-angiotensive enzyme inhibitor, which works in a similar way to the way many blood pressure pills and medications work.
4. Oral health
Believe it or not, consuming dark cocoa and dark chocolate products can actually help reduce tooth decay, prevent gum disease, and even decrease the amount of plaque found on your teeth. Of course, this won’t be the case when the chocolate is packed with sugar, so choose chocolate with a high cocoa content (65% or higher) and skip the sugar.
5. Mental alertness and antidepressant
Other research has found that chocolate contains theobromine, a small amount of caffeine, and anandamide. All of these act as mental alert chemicals and help elevate our mood for a short period of time. Researchers tested the antidepressant properties when they found that serotonin and dopamine levels increased after the consumption of chocolate. Carbohydrates and theobromine help stimulate the nervous system, resulting in extra energy. Some research has also shown that chocolate can even be used to help stimulate women with low libidos.
This little summary of the health benefits of cocoa and dark chocolate is proof enough why so many people call it a superfood. An ounce of dark chocolate with a 65% higher cocoa content is a great addition to your daily diet and for optimal health results.