Dark Chocolate: Health Benefits And Harms

How often does dark chocolate become a subject for study by world scientists? Our answer is stable every year. The reason for this attention is obvious. High-cocoa chocolate is one of the best sources of antioxidants available. Plus, quality dark chocolate is rich in fiber, iron, magnesium, copper, manganese, and some other minerals. And one more fatty plus - it's delicious and improves mood.

According to a recent study, those who consume three bars of chocolate every month have a 13% lower risk of heart failure than those who do not eat chocolate. But there is one thing; if we eat chocolate every day, we will get the exact opposite effect. However, moderation should be in everything. How much chocolate can you eat? Below, you'll find more information.

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High-quality dark chocolate

Dark Chocolate: Health Benefits And Harms

Ideally, good chocolate contains 70% or more cocoa products. These are cocoa butter, cocoa beans, and sugar. Depending on how much "cocoa sugar," it can be more or less sweet. The most valuable thing about chocolate is its cocoa products (beans and butter). The more there are, the less sugar and other additives—accordingly, the more valuable the chocolate.

How dark chocolate supports our body

Dark Chocolate: Health Benefits And Harms
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Cocoa beans are high in flavanols. These are chemical compounds that are antioxidants. Flavanols have a good effect on the cardiovascular system - they stimulate the formation of nitric oxide in the inner lining of blood vessels. This can improve blood flow and, in turn, lead to lower blood pressure.

Chocolate unambiguously increases the production of serotonin and endorphins! And this is your good mood. Always.

How it can harm and how much dark chocolate you need to eat

Dark Chocolate: Health Benefits And Harms
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Also read: How to Make Chocolate Muffins

We return to what we talked about above. There must be moderation in everything. Of course, your daily intake is determined specifically by your daily diet, goals, activity, and other factors. Roughly speaking, 10-20-30 grams of quality dark chocolate per day is good enough.

And also, an important rule, do not eat your chocolate on an empty stomach. This is due to the rapid release of a large volume of glucose into the blood, the release of insulin, the excitation of the nervous system, and other factors that do not have a perfect effect on health.

Adapted and translated by The Cop Cart Staff

Sources: Today Lifestyle