Hmmmm, don't even think about it ! I am not giving you a chocolate for your Friday but rather sharing with you benefits of a yummy chocolate
You can give yourself a treat, chocolate style and it could be of a health benefit. Sometimes it is amusing that in spite of our cocoa-rich farms, this chocolate product is not a popular snack among children and young adults. In this confectionery, there are two types-
(1) plain or dark typedark chocolate is the product without milk as an additive and not as sweet as the other kind. However, it is considered healthy
(2) milk chocolate
Benefits
Studies by some scientific journals have shown that eating more dark chocolate can lower your blood pressure though you have to balance out the extra calorie by eating less of other foods. This is to help in watching the weight.
Flavonoids stand at the centre of the benefits derivable from the chocolate. These pigments from plant are accountable for several of the health benefits of medicinal plants and fruits. The major falvoniods are proanthocyanidins; they are similar those found in grapes and apples.
Cocoa powder contains as much as 10percent flavoniods on a dry-weight basis and dark chocolate has proved a very reliable source of flavoniods. Flavoniods and antioxidants are useful in controlling cholesterol and reduce the risk of developing cancer.
Chocolate flavoniods prevent blood platelets from clustering; blood clots from when the blood platelets stick together and ultimately could lead to a heart attack or stroke.
Dark chocolate has been shown to increase blood flown to the brain and particularly useful for older adults who may be at risk of developing dementia.
A research also showed the presence of a component in dark chocolate called Theo bromine, which helps in preventing the development of cavities, and hardens the tooth enamel
Positive mood
It is shown that the presence of mood boosters in chocolate such as endorphins and serotonin are responsible for the positive mood after eating dark chocolate. On the other hand, dark chocolate is known to contain caffeine and excess consumption can lead to anxiety, high blood pressure, headaches, and sometimes, digestive problems