Chocolate lovers rejoice, chocolate brings health benefits…
Chocolate has a bad rep due to its high fat and sugar content, however, according to a review of chocolate’s health effects published in the Netherlands Journal of Medicine, it’s not all bad.
The authors pointed out that the key ingredient in chocolate, cocoa, contains biologically active phenolic compounds. Chocolate’s antioxidant potential may offer a range of health benefits. The higher the cocoa content, as in how dark the chocolate, the more benefits there are.
Eating chocolate may influence:
1. Cholesterol
A study published in The Journal of Nutrition, suggested that chocolate consumption might help reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels, also known as “bad cholesterol”. Dr Cabot’s book Cholesterol – The Real Truth is a great reference for those who suffer from high cholesterol.
2. Cognitive function
Scientists at Harvard Medical School have suggested that drinking two cups of hot chocolate a day could help keep the brain healthy and reduce memory decline in older people. The researchers found that hot chocolate helped improve blood flow to parts of the brain where it was needed.
Combine chocolate with glutamine (referred to as “the thinkers amino acid”), and you have yourself a brain-happy combination.
3. Heart disease
Research published in The BMJ, suggests that consuming chocolate could help lower the risk of developing heart disease by one-third.
4. Stroke
Canadian scientists, conducted a study involving 44,489 individuals, and found that people who ate chocolate were 22 percent less likely to experience a stroke than those who did not.
5. Foetal growth and development
According to a 2016 study, eating 30g of chocolate every day during pregnancy might benefit foetal growth and development.
6. Athletic performance
Findings published in The Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition suggest that a little dark chocolate might boost oxygen availability during fitness training.
It is important to keep in mind, that all in all there are positive and negative effects associated with chocolate consumption, remember, moderation is key.
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