Dark chocolate is made by the seeds of Cocoa tree, loaded with nutrients and antioxidants. It is also rich in minerals like Iron, Magnesium and Zinc. They are beneficial for your health Researches shows that eating dark chocolate helps in lowering the risk of heart diseases, reduce inflammation and helps in improving you health. It also contains high amount of sugar and calories.
Benefits of Dark Chocolate
There are may benefits of eating dark chocolate. Some of the benefits of eating such chocolate are following :
Rich in Nutrients :
Such chocolates are rich or loaded with many nutrients which are beneficial for our health. Nutritional information of Dark chocolate is following :
Nutritional information Per 100 g
- Calories – 604 g
- Protein – 7.8 g
- Fats – 43 g
- Carbohydrates – 46 g
- Fiber – 11 g
- Magnesium – 230 mg
- Iron – 12 mg
- Sugar – 25 g
- Zinc – 3.35 g
- Rich in Antioxidants
Such chocolates are rich in antioxidants and loaded with some organic compounds that functions as antioxidants. Flavanols and polyphenols are such antioxidants that neutralize free radicals and prevent oxidative stress ( oxidative stress refers to the damage that excessive amount of free radicals can inflect on cells in the body). It contributes to natural ageing process.
Studies shows that such chocolates have more antioxidants properties than any other fruits like blueberries.
- Reduce blood pressure
Researches suggests that dark chocolate helps in reduce blood pressure . The flavonoids presents in such chocolates helps in lowering the resistance to blood flow and then reduce blood pressure.
Many studies suggest that such chocolates (Cocoa present in it) can improve blood flow and reduce blood pressure. The bioactive components present in Cocoa may improve blood flow in arteries and a significant decrease in blood pressure.
- Reduce Cholesterol
Such chocolate contains Polyphenols, theobromine and eating such chocolates with flavanol lycopene helps in lowering LDL (low density lipoprotein) cholesterol in the body and also helps in increasing the HDL (High density lipoprotein) cholesterol. LDL cholesterol is said to be bad cholesterol and HDL is said to be good cholesterol.
- Lower the risk of Heart diseases
Dark chocolate helps in reducing the risk of heart diseases. The nutrients and compounds present in such types of chocolates are protective against the oxidation of LDL cholesterol (that leads to heart diseases) and helps in lowering blood pressure and also improves cardiovascular health.
Researches shows that regularly eating or consuming a moderate amount of such chocolates may reduce the risk of heart diseases.
- Boost Brain health
Such chocolates also helps in improve or boost brain health.
Researches shows that eating such chocolate (Cocoa) helps in improve blood flow to the brain. It improves attention, memory and verbal learning. Cocoa present in such chocolate also contains substance/compounds like caffeine which also be a reason for improve brain health for short term.
- Fight depression
Researches shows that consumption of dark chocolate may be directly associated with the reduced risk of depressive symptoms. Such chocolates is directly linked to reducing the risk of depression. It can relieve anyone from depression because it contains Flavonoids, Theobromine and Phenylethylamine.
Study concludes that consuming 24 g of dark chocolate per day can have antidepressant effect on people who fights with depression.
- Strengthens your Immune system
Such chocolates contains antioxidants that helps in protecting cells and tissues form the damage caused by free radicals, that weakens your immune system. such antioxidants presents in such chocolates helps in improve or strengthens your Immune system.
Ingredients uses in Dark Chocolate
The ingredients used in dark chocolate are cocoa liquor, cocoa butter and sugar to achieve it’s rich and delicious taste. Dark chocolate are made with 70 % Cocoa. Higher percentage of cocoa creates a dark chocolate rich or intense in taste.
Recipe to make Dark chocolate
Dark chocolate is made with higher % of cocoa to create it’s rich and intense taste. Recipe of making such chocolate is following :
- First step is to blend milk ingredients and sugar and gently mix with chocolate liquor and cocoa powder.
- Then, the mixture is dried and become a dark chocolate powder.
- The next step is ‘Conching’ in the process of making such chocolate. This is a long process of mixing two ingredients – Cocoa and sugar to guarantee development of flavor.
- Then allow ingredients to combine together in the silkiest way possible.
- Now you dark chocolate is ready. you can add spices and vanilla for smoothness.
Side effects of Eating Dark chocolate
There are many benefits of such chocolates but it have side effects too. Some of side effects of such chocolates are following :
- Weight gain :
Eating regularly or too much dark chocolates can leads to weight gain because such chocolates are high in calories because they contains large amount of fats and sugar. They also contains caffeine which can cause energy spike and increase craving for more sweets.
- Constipation :
If you eat too much dark chocolates, you feel or experiences trouble in digesting them because such chocolates contains high level of fibers and when they eaten in excess amount, such fibers make it difficult for your body to digest them properly.
It is the most common side effect of eating too much dark chocolates.
- Heart burn :
Dark chocolate contains caffeine which stimulates the nervous system and leads to heartburn and indigestion in some people. People who have health problems and digestive issues should avoid eating large amount of such chocolates.
- Allergic issues
It is not common but some people have Allergy to many antioxidants and ingredients present in such chocolates i.e. caffeine. if a person is allergic to caffeine consumption, such person feels or experience many problems and allergic issues after eating such type of chocolates.
Conclusion
As we studies above, There are many benefits of eating dark chocolate, like it is rich in nutrients, antioxidants and minerals like Iron, magnesium and zinc. It helps in protect or strengthen your Immune system, boost brain health, reduce cholesterol levels in your body, reduce blood pressure and many other benefits But it have some side effects of eating too much dark chocolate, it cause weight gain, constipation, heartburn ,allergic issues and many other issues when they consumed in large quantity.
So, always in your mind while consuming such chocolates that they should be consumed on a limited quantity to get the benefits of such chocolates and any person who have allergic problems should avoid it’s consumption.
