Forget death by this ultimate feel good
food. More and more research is claiming that high quality, dark
chocolate may actually improve your overall health. Find out what this
natural ingredient can do for you.
Skin
As a spa treat, try this bath: Mix two
cups chocolate milk, two tablespoons mild liquid soap, and one
tablespoon honey; pour mixture into the bath. Lactic acid and
antioxidants of the chocolate milk will smooth and soften your skin. The
flavonoids found in dark chocolate offer protection from UV damage.
Mood
There is a good reason people crave
chocolate when they are down. The tryptophan increases mood lifting
serotonin in the brain. One study found that even the chocolate’s taste,
smell or texture make people happy. Chocolate helps support the
production of dopamine in the system. Dopamine- a brain chemical that
helps to feel good is involved in brain disorders like Parkinson’s
disease. Foods that stimulate dopamine production may be helpful in the
prevention of such illnesses. Dark chocolate causes the release of
hormones- phenylethylamines that are also released when you are in love,
helping you to feel happy.
Heart
Chocolate is high in the mineral
magnesium that is essential for over 100 functions in the body,
including muscle function and heart health. A study published in one
journal found that people who eat dark chocolate have less of a protein
that indicates inflammation that can lead to a heart attack. Plus,
chocolate boosts HDL or good cholesterol. So, people who consumed a
fairly small amount of high quality, cocoa chocolate every week have a
30 percent lower risk of experiencing heart failure.
Cravings
One University researchers found that
people feel fuller and crave fewer sweet, salty and fatty foods when
they snack on chocolate. Always choose dark chocolate because it has low
glycemic index and reduces cravings thus steadies blood sugar levels.
Cancer
The high concentration of phytonutrients-
flavonoids in dark chocolate as potent antioxidants helps eliminate
free radicals associated with aging and inflammation in your body. Cacao
contains plant nutrients called proanthocyanidins. These nutrients have
been shown in various researches to protect against carcinogens and
nervous system toxins. The fiber of chocolate has been shown to reduce
the risk of colorectal cancer.
Blood pressure
Chocolate increased vascular reactivity
and improves arterial compliance. It lowers blood pressure in people who
has high levels of blood pressure, according to a study published in
the database of systematic reviews.
Brain
Raw cacao increases the amount of a
substance known as N-arachidon oyle thanol amine in your brain. It is a
neurotransmitter which improves communication between brain and nerve
cells. A study found that an increase in this neurotransmitter improves
memory in rats. Why it may not be able to improve human memory?
Kidneys
According to preliminary research in one nephrology journal, cocoa and dark chocolate can help protect the kidneys from disease.
Diabetes
Chocolate has been shown to help stimulate insulin, thus stopping the insulin resistance which is leading cause of diabetes.
0 comments:
Post a Comment