7 Amazing Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate You Must Know
Introduction
Dark chocolate is one of the most popular indulgences commonly enjoyed by adults. Its rich and intense flavour profile is well-suited for chocolate lovers who don't enjoy overly sweet treats. Along with being the perfect delight to have at any time of the day and a great chocolate gift option for friends and family, there are a plethora of benefits of consuming dark chocolate that you probably didn’t know. Intrigued to know more about these benefits? Read on to find out more about the nutritional value of dark chocolate, the benefits of eating dark chocolate, how to incorporate it into your diet the right way and how much dark chocolate you can consume without feeling guilty, according to food experts.
The Origins of Dark Chocolate
For hundreds of years, dark chocolate was not consumed as a sweet treat but as medicine, popular for its healing properties. The seed of the cacao or cocoa tree undergoes various processes until it comes to us in the form of a dark chocolate bar. This seed is dried, roasted, and ground into cocoa powder. Dark chocolates are the culmination of cocoa powder, cocoa liquor, and fats. They contain no milk solids, which makes cocoa its biggest ingredient. And this ingredient is what makes dark chocolate good for health.
Nutritional Value of Dark Chocolate
Wondering about the nutritional value of dark chocolate? Here is a table that mentions the nutrient content in 100g of dark chocolate:
| Nutrients | Amount Per 100 g |
|---|---|
| Calories | 546 kcal |
| Total Carbohydrates | 61 g |
| Protein | 4.9 g |
| Total Fat | 31 g |
| Cholesterol | 8 mg |
| Sodium | 24 mg |
| Potassium | 559 mg |
7 Amazing Advantages of Dark Chocolate
Are you a chocoholic? The next time someone reprimands you for indulging in a bar of dark chocolate, you should share with them the benefits of eating dark chocolate. Clueless about these benefits? Fret not; we have got you covered as always. Here are the 7 amazing health benefits of eating dark chocolate that you would be surprised to discover:
Filled with Essential Nutrients
Dark chocolate (70-85% Cacao) is teeming with goodness as it contains magnesium, protein, calcium, iron, copper, sulphur, and Vitamin C. It is also a source of good fats and antioxidants. Dark chocolate contains a significant number of flavonoids, a type of protein that is responsible for its bitter taste and provides many health benefits to the body.
Good for the Heart
Flavonoids present in dark chocolate are known to promote better cardiovascular health. Dark chocolate stops the hardening or thickening of arteries and restores the flexibility of arteries. This helps reduce the risk of several cardiovascular diseases. In times like now, where cardiovascular diseases in middle-aged adults have grown very common, dark chocolate is a good item to consume in moderation.
Regulates Blood Pressure and Reduces Hypertension
The various polyphenols like flavonoids present in dark chocolate improve the function of endothelial cells or cells near the heart, which in turn reduces hypertension and blood pressure. Flavonoids are also found to prevent cardiometabolic disorders like diabetes and renal failure.
Helps Protect Skin from Sun Damage
Studies suggest that dark chocolate, when consumed regularly, may help fight UV rays. The flavanols present in dark chocolate are found to have photoprotection abilities, which help in protecting our skin from the sun's harmful rays like UV rays.
May Help in Preventing Cancer
Many studies have researched the effects of dark chocolate on cancer. It has been found that dark chocolate does help protect against some types of cancer, like breast cancer. Flavanols and antioxidants present in dark chocolate fight free radicals and thus help reduce the chances of cancer.
May Help in Preventing Diabetes
Dark chocolate promotes the active functioning of blood flow and blood vessels. Flavonoids present in dark chocolate help decrease insulin resistance and help the body use insulin efficiently. It must also be noted that dark chocolate has a low GI value, which causes fewer blood sugar spikes too. This makes it a favourable item to have for patients with diabetes or pre-diabetes.
Positively Affects Mood and Cognitive Health
Several studies have found that consuming dark chocolate increases blood flow in the heart and the brain. This helps cognitive function and elevates mood too. So having a bar of dark chocolate when you're feeling down could help you.
Try Out: Fabelle Dark Chocolates
Along with these dark chocolate benefits, it must be noted that dark chocolate also has anti-inflammatory abilities. It has positive effects on the gut and reduces oxidative stress in the body too.
How to Use Dark Chocolate?
Dark chocolate is widely used in cakes, candies, cookies, hot drinks, and puddings. If you are using dark chocolate while baking, we recommend you cut them into pieces and melt them using a double boiler method.
If you are on a healthy eating journey, you can incorporate dark chocolate in moderation into your fruit bowl, morning oats or smoothies. You can also consider sprinkling dark chocolate shavings or pouring melted dark chocolate on top of your ice creams.
How Much to Eat?
As we have mentioned above, moderation is the key when you are consuming dark chocolate. Ideally, you can consume 30-60g of dark chocolate every day.
Food experts believe that if you have any more than this quantity, you would be consuming too many calories for the given day. For maximum health benefits, it is recommended to indulge in dark chocolate that is made with at least 75% cocoa or above.
Conclusion
So, is dark chocolate good for you? The answer is yes. Dark chocolate has several health benefits if consumed in moderation. It is good for your heart health, cognitive health, mood, etc. When picking a dark chocolate, make sure that you choose a premium-quality dark chocolate that has a high cocoa content and contains less sugar.
To learn more, explore our blog on Different Types of Chocolate and discover the Best Dark Chocolates to elevate your chocolate experience.Looking for a gourmet chocolate brand that makes decadent dark chocolate bars? Visit the ITC online store right away and check out the impressive range of dark chocolates by Fabelle.
Experience Fabelle Exquisite Chocolates
Fabelle Exquisite Chocolates is a luxury chocolate brand known to make some delectable dark chocolate bars among various other chocolate creations. Sourced from the finest cocoa of Latin America and Africa, these dark chocolate bars are rich, intense, and an experience like no other.
Explore Our Dark Chocolate Selection
If you are looking for delightful dark chocolate bars to avail the benefits of eating dark chocolate, look no further. Fabelle Intense Dark 84%, Fabelle Loaded Secret- Dark Chocolate and Fabelle Divine Dark 64% with Ghana Cocoa are among the many delectable dark chocolate creations made by Fabelle that you could try.
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