Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate
Everywhere in the world, there are tensions... economic, political, and religious. So we need chocolate." Is this a sentiment you subscribe to? Do you believe chocolate is so wonderful it could cure most of the world's tensions? Well, get in line! Chocolate is, hands-down, the most popular food in the world! Seriously, have you ever heard anyone say they hate chocolate? Okay, while it's possible, it's highly improbable. In fact, in a recent survey, upwards of 70 percent of the those canvassed said they not only like chocolate... they love it! Seventy percent! That's nearly five billion people worldwide who love chocolate! No wonder it's a billion-dollar industry, and that's just in the U.S.! But what about those five billion people who love to eat chocolate? Are they getting any health benefit from it? They are if they're eating it dark. In fact, if you were to perform a search on top health tips, dark chocolate would show up more often than just about any other subject, and for good reason. Here are more facts about the health benefits of dark chocolate that will make you glad you're one of the five billion!
Dark chocolate and nutrients
Dark chocolate is loaded, yes loaded, with nutrients. In fact, if that dark chocolate you're eating is quality dark chocolate that has a high cocoa content, you'll likely be surprised to learn it's packed with everything from fiber to phosphorous, and the amounts of all those nutrients are actually pretty high compared to a lot of other snacks you may reach for when you're hungry. First, a 100-gram bar of dark chocolate that contains about 75 percent cocoa contains 11 grams of fiber. It also contains iron, copper, magnesium, manganese, potassium, zinc, selenium, and yes, phosphorous. But how much of these nutrients does that bar of dark chocolate contain? More than half of the RDA (recommended daily allowance) of each!
Dark chocolate and weight loss
So, because of its high nutritional content, eating dark chocolate is a great way to lose weight. Why? Well, first, you're not eating one of those do-nothing snacks that have you scarfing down an entire bag before you realize you're still hungry. Second, your body's actually getting nutrients from your snack (unlike that entire bag you just scarfed down), and that means it's feeling full more quickly. Lastly, because you actually ate a snack that made you feel fuller more quickly and that contained vital nutrients, you're NOT eating that other stuff, only to end up reaching for the dark chocolate anyway, after tossing out the empty bag you just scarfed! Does that make sense? Eat some dark chocolate, and it will. Why? 'Cause dark chocolate also benefits brain function!
Dark chocolate and brain function
Yes, it's true. Dark chocolate can help to improve brain function. First, because it's loaded with nutrients that are good for the brain such as zinc, selenium, and magnesium, your brain's already ahead of the game when it comes to much-needed blood flow and oxygen. Second, because it contains high-flavanol cocoa, your brain is happier because this substance is a known circulation improver. And, because dark chocolate contains stimulants such as theobromine and caffeine, it's a great brain-function booster, especially in the short-term.
Dark chocolate and mood
Dark chocolate lifts your spirits. Well, duh! Anybody who eats dark chocolate knows this. After all, one of the reasons we eat chocolate is just, well, 'cause it makes us feel so darn good! But did you know there's more than just emotions involved? Besides making us feel good because it's so yummy, dark chocolate boost your mood because it's packed with, you guessed it, nutrients. Selenium, magnesium, manganese... these are all linked to increased blood flow to the brain and better brain function, and that means you're not just feeling better, your mood is actually physiologically lifted!
So, what's the take-away? Duh! Eat dark chocolate! For better blood flow, improved brain function, more effective weight loss and fat burning, vital nutritional content with lots of antioxidants, glowing skin, and improved mood... you can't beat a few chunks of dark chocolate daily. If you prefer milk chocolate, that's fine, but the fact is that milk chocolate just doesn't seem to have the antioxidants and health benefits that dark chocolate does. So, if you're a chocolate lover, try a little dark chocolate along with your milk chocolate. Just a couple small pieces of dark chocolate added to your daily or even weekly diet will provide soluble fiber, iron, magnesium, copper, and a host of other vital nutrients your body needs. Now, top that health tip!
Dark chocolate and nutrients
Dark chocolate is loaded, yes loaded, with nutrients. In fact, if that dark chocolate you're eating is quality dark chocolate that has a high cocoa content, you'll likely be surprised to learn it's packed with everything from fiber to phosphorous, and the amounts of all those nutrients are actually pretty high compared to a lot of other snacks you may reach for when you're hungry. First, a 100-gram bar of dark chocolate that contains about 75 percent cocoa contains 11 grams of fiber. It also contains iron, copper, magnesium, manganese, potassium, zinc, selenium, and yes, phosphorous. But how much of these nutrients does that bar of dark chocolate contain? More than half of the RDA (recommended daily allowance) of each!
Dark chocolate and weight loss
So, because of its high nutritional content, eating dark chocolate is a great way to lose weight. Why? Well, first, you're not eating one of those do-nothing snacks that have you scarfing down an entire bag before you realize you're still hungry. Second, your body's actually getting nutrients from your snack (unlike that entire bag you just scarfed down), and that means it's feeling full more quickly. Lastly, because you actually ate a snack that made you feel fuller more quickly and that contained vital nutrients, you're NOT eating that other stuff, only to end up reaching for the dark chocolate anyway, after tossing out the empty bag you just scarfed! Does that make sense? Eat some dark chocolate, and it will. Why? 'Cause dark chocolate also benefits brain function!
Dark chocolate and brain function
Yes, it's true. Dark chocolate can help to improve brain function. First, because it's loaded with nutrients that are good for the brain such as zinc, selenium, and magnesium, your brain's already ahead of the game when it comes to much-needed blood flow and oxygen. Second, because it contains high-flavanol cocoa, your brain is happier because this substance is a known circulation improver. And, because dark chocolate contains stimulants such as theobromine and caffeine, it's a great brain-function booster, especially in the short-term.
Dark chocolate and mood
Dark chocolate lifts your spirits. Well, duh! Anybody who eats dark chocolate knows this. After all, one of the reasons we eat chocolate is just, well, 'cause it makes us feel so darn good! But did you know there's more than just emotions involved? Besides making us feel good because it's so yummy, dark chocolate boost your mood because it's packed with, you guessed it, nutrients. Selenium, magnesium, manganese... these are all linked to increased blood flow to the brain and better brain function, and that means you're not just feeling better, your mood is actually physiologically lifted!
So, what's the take-away? Duh! Eat dark chocolate! For better blood flow, improved brain function, more effective weight loss and fat burning, vital nutritional content with lots of antioxidants, glowing skin, and improved mood... you can't beat a few chunks of dark chocolate daily. If you prefer milk chocolate, that's fine, but the fact is that milk chocolate just doesn't seem to have the antioxidants and health benefits that dark chocolate does. So, if you're a chocolate lover, try a little dark chocolate along with your milk chocolate. Just a couple small pieces of dark chocolate added to your daily or even weekly diet will provide soluble fiber, iron, magnesium, copper, and a host of other vital nutrients your body needs. Now, top that health tip!