Samuel Okoruwa
Who knew that a sweet substance such as dark chocolate could be considered healthy? In recent times, several studies have emerged to prove that chocolate can affect your health in so many positive ways. So, next time you feel like grabbing a bar of chocolate, don’t hesitate as there are so many health benefits it offers such as these. Of course, do it in moderation!
It Makes You Better At Maths
Were you bad at maths in school? Perhaps, then you should have eaten more dark chocolate! You have every reason to believe this thanks to a study done at the Research Center of Northumbria University (UK). In the study, 500 mg of flavanols were given to participants in a hot cocoa drink. This resulted in them having more increased blood flow to the brain and an improved ability to cope with difficult maths equations.
Improves Your Mood And Energises You
When next you find yourself in a bad mood, grab a good bite of dark chocolate and see what happens! In a study carried out at the University of Swinburne in Australia, the researchers found out that cocoa polyphenols improved the moods of participants who were calmer and happier.
Lowers Blood Pressure
A group of scientists in Cologne, Germany, concluded through research that eating a few squares of dark chocolate everyday can lower blood pressure in a month. However, if you try this and you notice it has the opposite effect, then, you should consult your doctor. The increase in blood pressure may be as a result of other ingredients in chocolate such as caffeine and sugar.
It Can Keep Your Heart In Healthy Condition
Lots of studies show that flavonoids contained in chocolate facilitate the supply of blood to the heart. They do this by cleaning up the blood vessels and preventing them from getting clogged.
READ ALSO:How Can a Chocolate Diet Help You Lose Weight?
It Reduces The Rate At Which You Age
We all want to stay forever young and beautiful, don’t we? Thanks to dark chocolate, we may be able to achieve this! Chocolate is rich in minerals such as iron, magnesium, copper and antioxidants which can protect us from the free radicals that speed up the aging process.
It Helps You Produce More Endorphins
Endorphins are the chemicals that are responsible for those times when you feel high on life due to love, excitement or some form of leisure. Interestingly, the flavanols in chocolate can boost the production of these endorphins to a greater degree. Endorphins help reduce stress and can even prevent depression and other mental disorders.
It Can Help Prevent Diabetes
While you may think that the sweetness of chocolates can lead to diabetes, the irony is that the right dose of chocolate can actually help prevent it. Consuming chocolate flavonoids can help the body’s metabolism and enhance insulin function. This, in turn, reduces the risk of getting diabetes.
It May Help With Your Cough
Another amazing benefit of chocolate is that it can help soothe a cough. It contains the chemical theobromine which has been found to be an effective cough suppressant. So, when next you have a troublesome cough and you want to reach for a cough syrup, you may want to consider eating some dark chocolate instead.
Are you surprised by these health benefits of chocolate? You can start enjoying delicious chocolate bars and also reap the benefits that come with them. Remember, too much of everything is bad so do it in moderation.
Comments