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Eating Chocolates Everyday Might Not Be Such a Bad Idea
Is there any human anywhere who does not like chocolates? If a worldwide survey is done, there would probably be a unanimous conclusion that these sweet blocks of heavenly delights, called chocolates, are the best thing that ever happened to humanity. Seriously, there are so many reasons to the thankful for chocolates. Think about it: What comfort food got you through that horrible heartbreak? What helped you win the love of your life over? What stands by you in times of stress and consoles you when life has let you down? What saves you every valentine’s day? What remains sweet and delicious, despite how you treat it? CHOCOLATE!
Over the years, chocolate has gotten a bad reputation. It’s been referred to as unhealthy and at most, a guilty pleasure. But in reality, it is not necessarily unhealthy. Unhealthy are chocolates that have been infused with unhealthy additives including sugars, wafers, caramel, e.t.c. In its pure form, dark chocolate, there health benefits worth considering.
Research has shown that people who eat pure chocolates regularly, actually weigh less than those who don’t. Implying that chocolate can help you lose weight. A test done by neuroscientist, Will Clower, Ph.D(1)., explains how it works: eating chocolates 20 minutes before, and five minutes after a meal, triggers certain hormones in the brain that lets it believe you are already full, cutting your appetite by up to 50 percent, so you end up eating a smaller portion and avoid subsequent snacking . Even more interesting is the fact that chocolate also enhances metabolic function. It contains an element “Flavanol” which stimulates this metabolic function, also reduces inflation and prevents leaky gut, three healthy outcomes that are generally indicative of weight loss.
If you are worried about cholesterol, rest assured that chocolates actually helps reduce bad cholesterol. Dark chocolate with at least a cocoa percentage of around seventy percent when consumed regularly, promotes a balanced ratio of “good” (HDL) to “bad” (LDL) cholesterol. Scientists and researchers have speculated that flavonoid has an important role to play in this, as it potentially also lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease.
The same flavonoid content makes chocolate for the heart, circulation, and brain. First, it helps restore flexibility to arteries while also preventing white blood cells from sticking to the walls of blood vessels – both common causes of artery-clogging. It also expands blood vessels and increases blood flow to the brain – helping to boost cognitive function, reduce memory loss and risk of dementia, and lower prevalence of cognitive impairment.
The anti-inflammatory qualities of dark chocolate have been known to aid treatment of brain injuries such as concussion and have been beneficial to such health challenges as autism, obesity, and diabetes.
In addition, the potent antioxidant and flavanol properties of chocolate have been known to facilitate a notable increase in blood flow to the epidermis. This means your skin increases in density, is less affected by UV rays and your skin is better protected from sunburn or sun damage.
The health benefits of chocolate are numerous and this makes consuming it much more rewarding. So, YES! You can eat it every day and as much as you want. However, you have to be sure you are eating the right kind of chocolate which contains flavanol if you intend to eat it for the health benefit. Also, you have to ensure you are eating the right portions. You cannot have a full meal of chocolate just because it is healthy as well.
Photo Credit: Jamie Wilson | Dreamstime
