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what are benefits of chocolate

by Mallory Lubowitz Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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The antioxidants in dark chocolate help to lower bad cholesterol levels and prevent plaque on artery walls, while the flavanols in chocolate are good for lowering blood pressure and improving blood flow. Eating dark chocolate in moderation can lower your chances of heart disease.Dec 13, 2020

What are the advantages and disadvantages of chocolate?

  • High Calories − Chocolate is full of calories. A 1.55-ounce bar of milk chocolate contains 235 calories. ...
  • High in sugar content − The rich flavor of chocolate is obtained not only due to the calories it contains but also from the high sugar content. ...
  • Affects tooth − Consuming chocolate works on the tooth and increases tooth decay. ...

What are the bad things about chocolate?

  • 1. Fat Bloom When you see a white or grayish film on the surface of your food, it normally means the product has gone bad, but it's a different story ...
  • 3. Odor A sniff test is an easy way to tell if your chocolate will be tasty or off-putting. ...
  • 4. ...
  • 5. ...

Does chocolate have any health benefits?

The antioxidant properties of chocolate may have a host of health benefits. • High in calcium: Our bodies rely on calcium to maintain strong bones and sustain the healthy function of our hearts, muscles and nerves. Without calcium, the body does not function properly and develop weak bones or osteoarthritis.

What can chocolate do to your health?

Here are a few tips for creating attractive spaces for these animals:

  • Prioritizing native species of plants If there's also a lot of variety, it will be easier to control possible pests.
  • Choose plant varieties that flower in all four seasons to ensure that they have food throughout the year. ...
  • Plant species that are most attractive to insects like bees, such as chamomile, lavender, geraniums, and dandelions.

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What are 10 benefits of eating chocolate?

10 Great Benefits of Dark ChocolateIt Has Antioxidant Properties. ... Dark Chocolate Can Boost Your Focus. ... It Protects Your Skin from Dehydration. ... It Supports the Functions of Your Heart. ... Dark Chocolate Lowers Blood Pressure. ... Cocoa Is Rich in Good Nutrients. ... It Boosts Your Energy Levels. ... Chocolate Is Important for Pregnant Women.More items...•

What are 5 benefits of eating chocolate?

7 Proven Health Benefits of Dark ChocolateVery nutritious. ... Powerful source of antioxidants. ... May improve blood flow and lower blood pressure. ... Raises HDL and protects LDL from oxidation. ... May reduce heart disease risk. ... May protect your skin from the sun. ... Could improve brain function.

Is chocolate good to eat everyday?

What happens if you eat chocolate every day? Chocolate receives a lot of bad press because of its high fat and sugar content. Its consumption could be associated with acne, obesity, high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, and diabetes.

Is chocolate good for skin?

According to research, eating dark chocolate gives you a smoother skin texture, 25% less skin redness when exposed to the sun, and prolonged skin hydration. Flavonoids in chocolate help reflect harmful UV rays off your skin, preventing sunburn and conditions like skin cancer.

Which chocolate is best?

List of the 10 Best Chocolates Available in India – 2022RankZotezo ScoreBest Chocolates#19.3Ferrero Rocher Premium Chocolates Rs. 895 Buy Now#29Amul India Origin Dark Chocolate Out of Stock Check Now#38.4Fabelle Dark Choco Mousse Rs. 350 Rs. 241 Buy Now#48.2Cadbury Dairy Milk Silk Chocolate Bar Rs. 70 Rs. 66 Buy Now6 more rows•Sep 30, 2021

Can I eat 1 chocolate bar a day?

One must not eat more than 30 to 60 grams of chocolate in a day. Consuming too much chocolate will increase your daily calorie count leading to weight gain and other issues. A bar of dark chocolate weighing 40 grams contains 190 calories.

When should I eat chocolate?

You can enjoy dark chocolates as often as you want. However, for a person who wishes to lose weight with these chocolates, dark chocolates should be eaten on an empty stomach or 30 minutes after a solid-food meal. They can also be eaten as a snack between lunch and dinner.

Which dark chocolate is best?

Vit n Rich Dark Chocolate. This product is the Vit n Rich chocolate brand. ... Cadbury Bournville. This chocolate contains around 50 percent cocoa. ... Kit Kat Dark. This product is the Nestle. ... Godiva Dark Chocolate. ... Toblerone. ... Amul Dark chocolate. ... Hershey's Special Dark. ... Lindt Excellence 99% Cocoa.More items...•

Why is dark chocolate important?

The amount of cocoa solids in dark chocolate is important because it can be an indicator of the amount of dietary flavonoids, which are antioxidants found in fruits, vegetables and certain drinks. Research suggests consuming more dietary flavonoids is linked to a lower risk of coronary heart disease. Most dark chocolate is high in flavonoids, ...

How much do Americans spend on chocolate?

Every year, Americans spend $22 billion on chocolate, and it's a safe bet that Valentine's Day accounts for a decent percentage of that total. While a heart-shaped box of chocolates may seem like the opposite of healthy, experts say it's less about the occasional small indulgence and more about making good everyday food choices.

How to tell if dark chocolate has cocoa?

Shoppers can tell how much cocoa liquor is in a dark chocolate bar by looking for the "percent cacao" figure on the label . Cacao is the raw form of chocolate, while cocoa is the heated version of cacao. White chocolate, however, contains only cocoa butter – no cocoa solids – combined with sugar and other ingredients.

What percentage of cocoa is in milk chocolate?

Milk chocolate, the most popular type in America, typically contains about 10 percent cocoa liquor – the paste made from ground, roasted, shelled and fermented cocoa beans that contains both nonfat cocoa solids and cocoa butter – compared with a minimum of 35 percent found in dark chocolate.

How many calories are in a bar of dark chocolate?

A standard bar of dark chocolate with 70 percent to 85 percent cacao contains about 600 calories and 24 grams of sugar, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's nutrient database. Milk chocolate contains roughly the same number of calories but twice the sugar.

Does dark chocolate lower LDL cholesterol?

In a 2017 study that closely controlled what people ate, researchers found that eating raw almonds, dark chocolate and cocoa helped lower "bad" LDL cholesterol in people who are overweight or obese. But when investigators took the almonds away, dark chocolate and cocoa alone didn't appear to aid heart health.

Is dark chocolate bad for you?

Most dark chocolate is high in flavonoids, particularly a subtype called flavanols that is associated with a lower risk of heart disease. Some studies suggest chocolate or cocoa consumption is associated with a lower risk of insulin resistance and high blood pressure in adults.

How much cocoa is in dark chocolate?

Bittersweet or dark chocolate contains 35 to 99 percent cocoa. Milk chocolate contains at least 10 percent chocolate liquor. White chocolate contains no cocoa. “The higher the percentage of cocoa, the more you can have of it,” he explains.

Does chocolate increase energy?

High-cocoa chocolate can increase your energy level “because you’re actually building more energy at the level of the mitochondria, at the level of the muscle,” says Dr. Clower. “The best thing in the world you can do is to have a little bit of high-cocoa chocolate every day,” he says.

Does cocoa have sugar?

Cocoa also contains flavonoids and flavonols that prevent cell damage and inflammation, as well as promote blood health. Chocolate’s health benefits come from cocoa– not added fillers or sugars – so the key is choosing a treat that has the highest percentage of cocoa.

Does chocolate help your muscles?

Chocolate’s energy-boosting power. Dr. Clower says eating high-cocoa chocolate regularly improves capillary growth in your muscles. This applies to not only skeletal muscles like those on your arms and legs, but also to your heart. These capillaries deliver oxygen and nutrients to the muscles.

Is chocolate good for you?

When eaten in control, chocolate has numerous health benefits, says Dr. Clower. It functions as an antibiotic and an anti-platelet (similar to aspirin), increases HDL (“good”) cholesterol, decreases LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, and contains polyphenols that prevent DNA damage.

Is raw chocolate better than unsweetened chocolate?

Unprocessed or “raw” chocolate is better for you, says Dr. Clower, so look for these key words on the label, as well as the percentage of cocoa or cacao the treat contains. Unsweetened chocolate contains 100 percent cocoa. Bittersweet or dark chocolate contains 35 to 99 percent cocoa.

How many times a week can you eat dark chocolate?

Chocolate is high in calories, so you need to enjoy it in moderation. You can have about 1 ounce of dark chocolate no more than three times a week. Bars of chocolate are difficult to measure because the sizing is so variable, but to help with portions, look at the packaging to see how many ounces are in that bar.

What percentage of chocolate is milk?

Dark chocolate has anywhere from 50 to 90 percent cocoa solids, while milk chocolate is typically 10 to 30 percent. White chocolate is pure cocoa butter and doesn't offer you any health benefits. There's a lot going on in chocolate.

What are the three types of cacao beans?

There are three main varieties of cacao bean: Criollo from Latin America, Forastero from Africa, and Trinitario from the Caribbean.

What is raw cacao nibs?

Raw cacao nibs are crushed pieces of dried cacao beans, and when you grind them up you get cocoa paste, also called cocoa liquor. Cocoa solids are what you have once you remove the cocoa fat, or cocoa butter, from cocoa paste. When you dry cocoa solids, you get cocoa powder. Continued.

Where does chocolate come from?

Chocolate comes from the seeds of the cacao pod, which grows on the cacao tree. Theobroma cacao is native to the tropical rainforests of Central America, where it has grown for thousands of years. It was likely cultivated by the Olmecs and Maya peoples about 2,500 years ago. By about 2,000 years ago, the Maya were experienced cacao bean farmers, ...

Is dark chocolate good for you?

Dark chocolate has a good variety of minerals and polyphenolic compounds like antioxidants and flavonoids. Chocolate is especially rich in flavanols like epicatechin and catechin, as well as anthocyanins and phenolic acids.

Does dark chocolate have cocoa powder?

When you dry cocoa solids, you get cocoa powder. Continued. To get noticeable health benefits from chocolate, you need to eat more of the cocoa solids found in dark chocolate. Cocoa solids contain minerals and antioxidants; cocoa butter does not. Dark chocolate has a good variety of minerals and polyphenolic compounds like antioxidants ...

What are the nutrients in chocolate?

Nutrition Facts of Chocolate. Chocolate is high in calories and contains carbohydrates, sugar, and fats, along with some amount of protein. It is a rich source of vitamin B12, niacin, riboflavin, vitamin E and minerals such as phosphorus, manganese , and zinc. It also contains calcium, magnesium, potassium, and iron.

Why is chocolate so addictive?

Cocoa is also addictive due to the presence of caffeine and other alkaloids and amines. Consuming chocolate can also cause: Physical Distress: The alkaloids can cause headaches, migraines, neurotic disturbances, allergies, and constipation.

How to avoid chocolate?

Avoid intake of chocolate in the following conditions: 1 Less physical activity: Chocolates with lots of milk cream, butter, and sugar are not recommended for obese people or for those who participate in very little physical activity. It is best to consume in moderation, even for athletes and very active people. 2 On medication: The caffeine in chocolate neutralizes certain drugs (particularly homeopathic medicines). So, check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are on medication. 3 Sensitivity to caffeine: Caffeine side effects include sleeplessness and nervousness. Cocoa is also addictive due to the presence of caffeine and other alkaloids and amines.

What is chocolate made of?

Chocolate is a sweet, brown preparation of roasted or ground Theobroma cacao seeds. It is found in liquid, paste, or solid block form. The three essential components of chocolate are cocoa (scientific name – Theobroma cacao L.), milk, and sugar. It’s equally dear to the young and the old and to men and women.

Is chocolate a good source of protein?

Chocolate is high in calories and contains carbohydrates, sugar, and fats, along with some amount of protein. It is a rich source of vitamin B12, niacin, riboflavin, vitamin E and minerals such as phosphorus, manganese , and zinc. It also contains calcium, magnesium, potassium, and iron. Chocolate, especially the dark chocolate variety made from cocoa beans, is packed with a wide variety of powerful antioxidants like flavonoids and polyphenols. [1]

Does chocolate lower cholesterol?

Consuming chocolate reduces cardiovascular risks by one-third. Stearic acid, despite being a saturated fatty acid, does not contribute to high cholesterol levels. Infact, it can reduce the possibility of heart attacks and atherosclerosis which is associated with elevated cholesterol levels and inflammation of arteries.

Does cocoa help with depression?

Cocoa contains “antioxidant, vasodilatory, anticoagulant, and anti- inflammatory properties that may serve to counteract depressive brain disorders,” according to a review published in the Journal of Functional Foods. Both animal and human studies show that intake of flavanol rich foods like dark chocolate improve mood and have antidepressant effects. [11]

Where does chocolate come from?

Chocolate is made from tropical Theobroma cacao tree seeds. Its earliest use dates back to the Olmec civilization in Mesoamerica. After the European discovery of the Americas, chocolate became very popular in the wider world, and its demand exploded. Chocolate has since become a popular food product that millions enjoy every day, ...

How much chocolate should I eat a day while pregnant?

Eating 30 g (about one ounce) of chocolate every day during pregnancy might benefit fetal growth and development, according to a study presented at the 2016 Pregnancy Meeting of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine in Atlanta, GA.

Does chocolate help with heart disease?

Research published in The BMJ, suggests that consuming chocolate could help lower the risk of developing heart disease by one-third. Trusted Source. . Based on their observations, the authors concluded that higher levels of chocolate consumption could be linked to a lower risk of cardiometabolic disorders.

Does chocolate cause tooth decay?

Chocolate that is high in sugar can lead to tooth decay if eaten in excess. Chocolate may have health benefits, but it can have some negative effects, too. Weight gain: Some studies suggest that chocolate consumption is linked to lower body mass index ( BMI) and central body fat.

Does hot chocolate help with memory?

Scientists at Harvard Medical School have suggested that drinking two cups of hot chocolate a day could help keep the brain healthy and reduce memory decline in older people. The researchers found that hot chocolate helped improve blood flow to parts of the brain where it was needed.

Does cocoa help Alzheimer's?

Results of a lab experiment, published in 2014, indicated that a cocoa extract, called lavado, might reduce or prevent damage. Trusted Source. to nerve pathways found in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. This extract could help slow symptoms such as cognitive decline.

Does chocolate cause migraines?

Migra ine risk: Some people may experience an increase in migraines when eating chocolate regularly due to cocoa’s tyramine, histamine, and phenylalanine content. However, research is mixed. Bone health: There is some evidence that chocolate might cause poor bone structure and osteoporosis.

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