5 Reasons to Keep a Stash of Chocolate in Your Pantry Now
The benefits of chocolate don’t just rest on a happier mood, romantic atmosphere, and stress-busting purposes - it can also make you healthier. By sticking to its dark variety, you can possibly reap tremendous benefits by taking a square or two.
Dark chocolate comes from cocoa tress seeds (Theobroma). Eating the cocoa seeds in itself is not a good idea because it is naturally bitter. And also, you have to break it and process it further to get the real substance we need. To make it appealing, humans incorporated milk, sugar, butter and all the goodness in it resulting to a rich and creamy confectionary that everybody loves.
Are there any benefits of eating chocolate? First, chocolate is said to activate our "happy hormones", which include endorphins, dopamine, and serotonin. They are the ones responsible for giving us a pleasant mood. Eating chocolate after a stressful week or heartbreak is actually scientifically proven to alter the negativity. Aside from that, more studies conducted also found that people can reap actual health benefits from eating chocolate. These are:
1. Generous amounts of antioxidants
Cocoa is said to contain tremendous amounts of antioxidants, which is superior to the other antioxidant-rich foods taken for study. As we know, antioxidants are known to counter the effects of oxidative stress, which destroys our body's good cells. To maximize the healthy antioxidant content of chocolate, you should choose the ones that contain at least 70 percent cocoa - the higher the percentage, the better. Processed cocoa, or chocolate, is naturally high in fat, so it still recommended taking in moderation.
Raw or unprocessed cocoa contains a significant amount of nutrients like catechins, flavonoids, theobromine, polyphenols.
2. Improves cognitive performance
Cocoa contains caffeine, the same substance found in coffee but only in smaller amounts. This stimulates the brain, making it more attentive and responsive. Studies also reveal that people who consumed high-quality chocolate prior to brain stimulating and "high-stress" activities showed more endurance, less mental fatigue and higher cognitive performance than those who did not.
3. Appetite suppressant
While we grew up knowing that chocolate is loaded up with fat and calories, research proves it otherwise (in dark chocolate). Eating it in conservative amounts, or including a piece before each meal actually, satiates us and reduces our cravings. But this claim can be quite tricky, as the chocolate being referred too should contain a higher percentage of cocoa (70 percent or more) and be eaten in less than 100 grams.
4. Good for your heart
Aside from mending your broken heart, chocolate is helpful in unclogging arteries and increase the levels of good cholesterol (LDL).
5. Anti-aging
Because of its rich antioxidant content, chocolate can battle the effects of oxidative stress through flavonols. This is responsible for slowing down cell degeneration and speeds up the formation of new mitochondria.
Aside from chocolate, berries are also superfood rich in antioxidants. Products like Organic and Kosher Certified PURE Açai Berry Pulp Puree Liquid may complement the benefits of chocolate to the body.
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to treat, diagnose, or cure any diseases.