Selfcare Sunday Series: 8 Benefits of Dark Chocolate

There is a lot of talk about how chocolate is a guilty treat, a luxury, an indulgent but really we are here to show you that Dark Chocolate is a superfood which can help an array of mind body wellness.

That said there is a sliding scale on the quality and benefits associate with chocolate so you do have to be careful with your choice. As a lot of chocolate on the market which is not good for you due to the high sugar content.

That’s why its always better to choose the chocolate with the high cacao content (preferably over 75%)…

Find out just a few of the reason why we call dark chocolate a superfood and how it can make such a positive impact to our day to day.

Very Nutritious

If you get quality dark chocolate with high cacao content, then its packed with amazing nutritious benefits.

With chocolate of 75% cacao content and over, it contains a high amount of soluble fiber and full of minerals including 

• 66% of your iron
• 57% of your magnesium
• 196% of copper
• 85% of manganese

All these minerals are help They fulfil a wide variety of functions, such as building materials for our bones, influencing muscle and nerve function, and regulating the body's water balance

Powerful Source of Antioxidants

Packed with antioxidants to improve performance and your mental and physical wellbeing, it has more antioxidants than any fruits on the planet, even blueberries.

Antioxidants may reduce the risk of many diseases (including heart disease and certain cancers). They scavenge free radicals from the body cells and prevent or reduce oxidative stress as well as a whole host of other things:

• Supporting disease prevention
• Supporting eye health,
• Aid in brain function
• Improve to mental health benefits like reduce anxiety stress
• Reduce inflammation and help support the aging process.

Lowers Blood Pressure

Dark chocolate can help reduce low blood pressure which decreases your risk of cardiac issues and heart attacks/strokes, not to mention a risk of death by 25%.

A study showed that eating chocolate 3 times a week can lower the risk of cardiovascular disease by 9% providing it is dark chocolate.

Improves Fitness Performance by improved blood flow

Dark chocolate contains epicatechin, a flavonol which includes nitric oxide, dilates blood vessels & reduces O2 consumption - so you can train harder for longer not only tha 

The Flavanols in cacao can reduce inflammation build up from the stresses of running or exercise.

Another way it improves is by Inhibiting the actions of Myostatin in the body to 'remove the brakes' on muscle growth

So whether you have it before, during or after. It will help you in all ways.

Protects LDL from Oxidation 

Dark chocolate increases you HDL cholesterol and decreases your LDL cholesterol. Dark chocolate compounds appear to be highly protective against the oxidation of LDL which cause much less cholesterol to stay in the arteries which results in lowering risk of heart disease.

Dark chocolate does contain saturated fat but it also contains a high amount of unsaturated fat found in olive oil, a staple of Mediterranean diet that is seen as one of the healthiest in the world.

Reduces Cardio vascular diseases

Some studies have shown that eating 45g of dark chocolate per week can lower cardiovascular disease by 11% as it causes less LDL cholesterol and therefore clogging in the arteries and with improved blood flow.

It’s a fabulous disease fighting treat packed with antioxidants as it helps lower blood pressure and diabetes, preventing blood clots, improving memory.

Improves Cognitive Function

Studies show that eating high flavanol cocoa can improve blood flow to the brain in young adults.

Eating or drinking cacao daily helps improve attention, cognitive function, memory, learning developments.

Cocoa flavanoids may also help maintain cognitive function in older adults with mild cognitive impairment and reduce the chance of progressing to dementia.

Additionally, cacao contains stimulant substances like theobromine, which may be a key reason why it can improve brain function in the short term. It contains minimal traces of caffeine naturally.

Protects Our Skin Against Sun Damage & Aging

The flavanols in cacao can help protect against sun damage, improve blood flow to the skin, whilst improving skin density and hydration. So whilst you enjoy your dark chocolate, know you are also protecting you skin (however never forget your sunscreen!).

Studies have shown that the MED (Minimal erythemal dose) - The minimum amount of UVB rays required to cause redness in the skin 24 hour after exposure can increase and even double when eating or drinking dark chocolate over a period of 12 weeks.

FAQs

Can you eat chocolate everyday?

Absolutely yes! There is a sliding scale of chocolate with benefits and the higher the cacao percentage the better it is for you. As such you can eat or drink up to 50g of dark chocolate (over 75% recommended) every day to help improve mental and physical wellbeing.

What % of chocolate is best to eat?

I would recommend anything over 75% cacao content is the best kind, small amounts of dark chocolate has been proven to help improve your day to day work, health, life balance. Low in sugar and packed with nutritious benefits to work with your mind and body.

Why is dark chocolate good for you?

It is a superfood, this humble plant is packed with so many antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and polyphenols which help improve our mental health wellbeing and feelings of happiness that everyday it can have a positive impact on your life.