In case you’re a lover of chocolate and you’ve been looking for excuses to indulge, then you might have just found yourself some. Dark Chocolate has a mind-blogging number of health benefits that prove that it is a superfood. In a previous article, we took a look at some of these health benefits but we’ve gone a step further to dig up more of these benefits to show that chocolate can positively impact your health in many ways.
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Read on to learn about more of these benefits
Slow the ageing process
Thanks to the antioxidants contained in dark chocolate, it helps to slow the ageing process. Dark chocolate is rich in minerals like iron, magnesium, and copper. It also has a good amount of biological compounds that serve as antioxidants. These include polyphenols, flavanols and catechins, among others. They help to protect the body from the damage caused by free radicals which contribute to ageing.
Lowers blood pressure
Many studies show that dark chocolate can reduce blood pressure levels and improve blood flow. This is because chocolate contains flavanols that cause the endothelium, the lining of arteries, to produce nitric oxide. The nitric oxide produced sends signals to the arteries to relax. As a result, there is a reduction in resistance to blood flow, hence a reduction in blood pressure.
Reduces anxiety levels
Everyone gets nervous at one point or the other. It could be due to a job interview or health problems. On the other hand, some people actually live with anxiety. Interestingly, chocolate can help you fight your anxiety. Research shows that eating dark chocolate increases your serotonin levels which, in turn, reduces the levels of anxiety.
It can help you exercise better
The flavanols contained in chocolate have been shown to boost a person’s performance during exercise. However, it is recommended that you limit your intake of chocolate to only about half of one square per day to see the best results. Taking a larger amount may undo the beneficial effects.
It can help reduce complications during pregnancy
One such complication is Preeclampsia, a condition in which blood pressure increases to high levels and there is a presence of protein in your urine. One study shows that pregnant women who eat dark chocolate have a 40% less chance of developing this complication.
Source:
Health Line
Parenting.firstcry.com
Featured Image Source: Fastachi
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