A bar of dark chocolate is full of nutrients and antioxidants, your body is going to love you for. A 100 gm bar is rich in fibre, iron, magnesium, copper, manganese, zinc, potassium, omega-3 fatty acids, sodium, phosphorus, potassium, selenium and zinc.
So when any one says that chocolate is not good for health, you start with the list and that will shut them up.
This super long list of minerals and nutrients in dark chocolate provide with many health benefits. They are:
1. Cardiovascular benefits
Having a small piece of dark chocolate in your daily diet can help you a lot in preventing heart stroke and other heart problems. It also keeps the high blood pressure at bay. The antioxidants in dark chocolate enhance the flexibility of arteries and improve the blood flow thereby preventing cardiovascular issues.
2. Weight loss
It helps in curbing the sugar cravings because a small piece of dark chocolate can satiate your taste buds and you will crave less of sugar or fast food. People who are trying to lose weight must include it in their breakfast. Antioxidants and other nutrients present in it are helpful in weight loss.
3. Reduces risk of diabetes
The flavonoids in it escalate the production of nitric oxide, which in turn plays an important role in controlling the insulin sensitivity. It regulates the production of glucose and insulin signalling.
4. Anti-depressant
Dark chocolate produces stress busting endorphins in the brain, it makes you feel relaxed and happier. It might not work as a medicine for depression but it sure does lighten you up. It will revitalise your brain and improve the cognitive function of the brain. Unlike caffeine, it is un-addictive and does let you sleep at night too.
5. Anti-ageing
Dark chocolate prevents the break down of collagen in the skin and up to a great extent, it brings down the stress hormones which reduces the formation of wrinkles and age lines on the skin. The skin becomes fresh and healthy from the inside because, a happy you, gives you, a happy skin! So drink hot chocolate for better skin.
6. Natural sunscreen
Skin is greatly damaged by the harsh rays of sun and antioxidants like flavonol help in fighting against such damage. Dark chocolate is extremely rich in such antioxidants and thus, helps the skin in fighting sun damage. It also keeps the skin hydrated so the damage is reduced to minimal.
7. Prevents cancer
Dark chocolate is laden with antioxidants which discard the carcinogenic elements in the body thereby preventing cancer. The free radicals in the body are responsible for making the body age early and also cause cancer like problems. Antioxidants are the best way to keep the body free from such radicles. Thus, dark chocolate is a great choice.