Dark chocolate keeps many diseases and health disorders away and is even considered healthier than fruit juice.
Researchers list 4 ways through which consumption of dark chocolate can keep you fit and healthy
Dark chocolate
Dark Chocolate Reduces blood pressure (hypertension). Doctors could soon be prescribing a dose of dark chocolate to help people with hypertension, according to new research. Scientists at an Australian University combined the results of 15 studies into the effects of flavanols. Flavanols are the compounds in chocolate, which cause dilation of blood vessels, on blood pressure.
They found that consumption can significantly, albeit modestly, reduce blood pressure for people with high blood pressure. But not for people with normal blood pressure.
When choosing the right chocolate to eat, you should go for ones high with Cocoa
Does Dark chocolate improve blood pressure?
Health experts from a UK university feel the most painless path to better cardiovascular health is one that comes all-too-naturally to many people: eating chocolate.
They found that the highest level of chocolate intake was associated with a 37 percent reduction in cardiovascular disease. A 20 percent drop in strokes, when compared with the chocolate-averse cohort.
Some researchers found that chocolate contains more antioxidants (polyphenols and flavanols) than fruit juice. They found that the chocolate trumped the juice with more antioxidant capacity, and a greater total flavanol content.
Another Research that was done in Jordan shows a definite link between chocolate consumption and lower blood pressure. Now of course we are not talking about eating a Snickers Bar but a healthier dark chocolate which has to be 70% cacao or greater and have less than 10 grams of sugar per serving.
The research investigation included 14,300 men and women over the age of 18 which 75%of the group between 18-39. All participants had normal blood pressure and no heart disease. They found that the more dark chocolate a person consumed, the lower their systolic blood pressure (that’s the top number). Specifically, the average systolic pressure for mild intake was 125.64 compared to 119.29 for high intake. (Less than 120 is considered normal, while 120–139 is considered pre-hypertension.)
Diastolic numbers (the lower one) showed a similar effect. Mild consumers had an average of 79.92, while high consumers boasted 76.74. (Less than 80 is considered normal, while 80–89 is considered pre-hypertension.) Conclusion eating dark chocolate is healthy and beneficial in fighting high blood pressure.
Dark chocolate eases symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome
Dark chocolate is rich in chemicals known to increase signals carried around the brain. But this is thought to be the first time the connection has been found to help symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome. Chronic fatigue is a condition which is characterized by extreme, persistent fatigue for six months or more. Including other problems as muscle pain, headaches and poor memory.
Patients, who suffered from a severe form the disease were given dark chocolate for eight weeks. This followed by a break and then another variety with little cocoa but which tasted the same. They were asked to eat 15 grams three times a day and not make any other changes to their diet. They reported significant improvement in their well-being. The study was conducted at a reputed UK university.
Dark chocolate may protect against sunburn
A study conducted by scientists in Germany and Britain discovered that eating dark chocolate not only satisfies sweet tooth cravings but protects against sunburn as well.
They found that chemicals in chocolate called polyphenols increase blood flow close to the skin. This helps protect against ultraviolet rays, but those studies were too small in scale to be conclusive.
Here is a short video discussing the health benefits of dark chocolate:
Conclusion
All that said, it should be mentioned that many of the studies made about chocolate and its health benefits we funded by Chocolate companies. As so, the results and conclusions should be taken with a pitch of salt.
If you do decide to include chocolate in your diet, you should aim for chocolates which are high in cocoa solids. The higher the percentage the more flavanols are in your chocolate and flavanols do have some research to support their benefits.
To learn a little about the history of chocolate – watch this video
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