How A Chocolate Can Keep The Doctor Away

By Padmapreetham Mahalingam

Friday, June 26, 2015, 8:56 [IST]

It is definitely one of the tastiest foods on Earth and there is no denying that chocolates do have nutritional benefits. This is one food which drives most of us crazy with the ‘gotta -have –it’ feeling than any other food on this planet.

But did you know that chocolates are made from plants and they contain the health benefits such as the powerful antioxidants called flavonoids?

Why Women Should Eat More Chocolates

In some cultures cocoa and chocolate products are used as a medication as it is loaded with nutrients. One of the health benefits of chocolate, especially dark chocolate, is that it contains large amounts of antioxidants which is 8 times the quantity found in strawberries. Dark chocolate has a long history of being used as a mood enhancer or an aphrodisiac.

You can revel in the healthiness of chocolate but it doesn’t mean you have to go overboard with it, as chocolate is rich in sugar, fat and calories that can bust up your diet if you gorge too much of it.

Health Benefits Of Drinking Hot Cocoa

Some studies suggest that eating chocolate can reduce body mass, improves numeracy and it prevents cancer. According to a study conducted by researchers at the University of California people who grab a bite of chocolate mostly have lower body mass indexes than people who don't eat it.

Here are few reasons why it is good for you and the nutritional benefits of chocolates.

Mood Enhancer

One of the most alluring effects of this tasty food is that it improves your mood. Most of us are aware that mood matters even more when you are feeling zonked or stressed. Chocolate causes the release of calming endorphins that can reduce anxiety.

The other health benefit of chocolate is that the magnesium found in it can lift your mood and also lessen water retention. It helps women going through PMS, and this is the reason why most women crave chocolate during that time of the month.

Fights Stroke

If you devour 45 grams of chocolate per week which is about two bars worth, it can lead to 30 percent decline in stroke risk in women. Chocolate contains flavonoids or antioxidant properties that tend to help fight stroke. However, though chocolates may have health benefits it doesn't mean it is a substitute for fruits and vegetables. You need to understand that it can only be a replacement for other discretionary calories.

Lowers Cholesterol

Daily consumption of cocoa or dark chocolate can lower cholesterol and improve blood pressure over a period of time.

Improves Brain Function

Dark chocolate improves the function of your brain. Recent studies conducted by some health volunteers suggested that a person who consumes high flavanol cocoa for 5 days can improve the blood flow to the brain. It boosts memory, reaction time and problem solving by escalating the blood flow to the brain.

A study conducted at Harvard Medical School states that consuming two cups of hot chocolate will increase the blood flow to the brain in of 2-3 hours.

Prevents Pregnancy Complications

A new study suggests that theobromine found in chocolate can reduce the risk of a major pregnancy complication called pre-eclampsia. The darker the chocolate bar the better it is for health. Pre-eclampsia is a pregnancy complication that is noted for causing high blood pressure and a sign of harm to other organs - especially the kidneys. But studies prove that eating chocolate does a lot of good as it helps lower this risk by up to 69 percent.

Makes You Happy And Wards Off Negative Stress

Eating dark chocolate has many health benefits as it helps the release of the feel good chemicals called endorphins. Endorphins try to connect with opiate receptors in the brain which eventually leads to the feeling of ecstasy.

This downright delicious thing also contains phenylethylamine, a compound referred to as the love drug. This love drug can create a brain response similar to the feeling of being in love. Chocolate also relieves pain and any negative effects of stress that you are going through.

Protects Your Skin Against Sun

Chocolate is good for your skin. The flavonoids found in chocolate-especially dark chocolate can protect your skin from the sun's UV rays. It doesn't mean that you can skip your sunscreen regularly when you venture out.

Germany's Heinrich Heine University exposed chocolate eaters to ultraviolet light and found out that 15 percent of their skin after six weeks of exposure had less reddening when compared to those who don't consume chocolate. It is believed that the compounds in chocolate does act as UV filters.

Cancer Gets Suppressed

Chocolate has anti-cancer benefits and the cocoa contains a compound called pentameric procyanidin which can easily disrupt the cancer cell's ability to spread throughout the body. The flavonoids present in chocolate can condense cell damage and stop tumor growth.

Eat chocolate in moderation to acquire the health benefits from it.