Are there health benefits from chocolate?

Every year, Americans spend $22 billion on chocolate, and it’s a safe bet that Valentine’s Day accounts for a decent percentage of that total. While a heart-shaped box of chocolates may seem like the opposite of healthy, experts say it’s less about the occasional small indulgence and more about making good everyday food choices.

Most chocolate falls into one of three categories: milk chocolate, dark chocolate or white chocolate. Chocolate’s darkness is determined by the proportion of cocoa solids made from cocoa beans, mixed with cocoa butter and sugar.

Milk chocolate, the most popular type in America, typically contains about 10 percent cocoa liquor – the paste made from ground, roasted, shelled and fermented cocoa beans that contains both nonfat cocoa solids and cocoa butter – compared with a minimum of 35 percent found in dark chocolate. Shoppers can tell how much cocoa liquor is in a dark chocolate bar by looking for the “percent cacao” figure on the label. Cacao is the raw form of chocolate, while cocoa is the heated version of cacao.

White chocolate, however, contains only cocoa butter – no cocoa solids – combined with sugar and other ingredients. (And for many people, it’s not really considered a chocolate at all.)

A standard bar of dark chocolate with 70 percent to 85 percent cacao contains about 600 calories and 24 grams of sugar, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s nutrient database. Milk chocolate contains roughly the same number of calories but twice the sugar.

The amount of cocoa solids in dark chocolate is important because it can be an indicator of the amount of dietary flavonoids, which are antioxidants found in fruits, vegetables and certain drinks. Research suggests consuming more dietary flavonoids is linked to a lower risk of coronary heart disease.

Most dark chocolate is high in flavonoids, particularly a subtype called flavanols that is associated with a lower risk of heart disease. Some studies suggest chocolate or cocoa consumption is associated with a lower risk of insulin resistance and high blood pressure in adults.

“While dark chocolate has more flavanols than other types of chocolate, the data to suggest there is enough to have a health effect is thin at this point,” said Alice H. Lichtenstein, the Gershoff professor of nutrition science and policy at Tufts University in Boston.

In a 2017 study that closely controlled what people ate, researchers found that eating raw almonds, dark chocolate and cocoa helped lower “bad” LDL cholesterol in people who are overweight or obese. But when investigators took the almonds away, dark chocolate and cocoa alone didn’t appear to aid heart health.

A potential explanation, researchers said, is that the flavanol dose was about half that used in earlier studies that found a beneficial effect on blood pressure – 274 milligrams of flavanols compared to 586.

But that amount of flavanols “is unlikely achievable with daily consumption of commercially available dark chocolate,” Lichtenstein said.

Researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston are currently studying whether a 600-mg daily supplement of cocoa flavanols can reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke and cancer.

In the meantime, chocolate can still be part of an overall healthy diet.

“If you enjoy chocolate,” Lichtenstein said, “the important thing to do is choose the type you enjoy the most and eat it in moderation because you like it, not because you think it is good for you.”

If you have questions or comments about this story, please email [email protected].

The Wonderful Ways Dark Chocolate Helps Your Heart

Exercise. Eat healthy. Stay slim. Lower your stress.

This “to-do” list is great for a healthy heart, but it may not sound like fun. Thank goodness, there’s chocolate! Hundreds of studies have found that chocolate—specifically, dark chocolate— keeps the heart and blood vessels in good shape. Here are some of the ways this delicious treat helps the heart:

It may decrease inflammation.

During times of stress, the body creates inflammation, which may cause or worsen heart disease. But dark chocolate stops this chain reaction, according to recent research. Men in the study ate either a dark chocolate bar or one that looked the same but didn’t have the healthy substances found in dark chocolate. Then they took a stressful test. Afterwards, blood tests showed that the men who got the real dark chocolate had lower levels of inflammation markers than those who got the fake kind.

It may reduce your chances of having a stroke.

Eating dark chocolate may lower your risk for a stroke, which happens when a blood vessel carrying oxygen to the brain is blocked by a clot or bursts. In a 2012 Finnish study of more than 37,000 men, those who ate about 2 ounces of dark chocolate a week lowered their risk of stroke compared to those who didn’t eat chocolate.

It may lower the risk of heart rhythm problems.

A Dutch study involving more than 55,000 people showed that just 2 to 6 ounces of cocoa per week lowered the risk of developing an irregular heartbeat by 20%. That’s good because people with this heart problem have a 5 times greater risk of having a stroke.

It may improve cholesterol levels.

In research published in 2005, people were given about 3½ ounces of either dark chocolate or white chocolate to eat every day for 15 days. Those who got the dark chocolate lowered their “bad” LDL cholesterol—the type that clogs arteries and slows the flow of blood—by about 12%.

It may improve your circulation.

When the flow of blood to arms and legs slows, it can become painful to walk. But eating 1.5 ounces of dark chocolate helped people with a condition that decreases blood flow to the legsto walk 15 %longer and 11% farther than those who ate milk chocolate, according to a 2014 study.

It may lower blood pressure.

High blood pressure is believed to be responsible for half of the world’s cases of heart problems like heart attacks and strokes. But a little dark chocolate could keep your blood pressure in the healthy range. A review study looking at 35 previous studies found that regularly eating dark chocolate and cocoa products caused small but important decreases in blood pressure.

To get the most out of chocolate, you need the kind with a high amount of cacao beans, the plant that chocolate is made from. Choose brands that say 70% cacao or higher on the label.

Feel free to eat dark chocolate regularly, but don’t overdo it, as excess calories can cause weight gain. A small portion—just a square or two a day—will still put a smile on your face while boosting your heart health.

Dark, Milk or White – Which Chocolate Is Best for Your Heart? – Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic

Chocolate is good for blood flow, which means it’s good for your heart. But not all chocolate is created equal. We asked registered dietitian Mira Ilic, RD, LD, to give us the breakdown about which chocolate is best for your heart health.

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy

Chocolate: Which kind is heart healthiest?

Ahh, the rich flavor of chocolate! It comes from the “flavonoids” in cocoa beans — which are also the reason that chocolate is so healthy for your heart. Flavonoids are antioxidants that fight cell-damaging free radicals in your body. 

These flavonoids help your heart by:    

• Controlling cholesterol. 
• Lowering blood pressure.
• Reducing your risk of blood clots. 
• Inhibiting sticky platelets. 
• Improving blood flow to your vital organs. 

Dark chocolate is best for you because it’s the least processed chocolate, which means it contains the highest percentage of flavonoid-filled cocoa bean (cocoa). 

A closer look at what’s inside

Dark chocolate. Also called semi-sweet chocolate, dark chocolate has at least 35% cocoa to be called dark. The remainder is cocoa butter (the natural fat of the cocoa bean), sugar, an emulsifier (what holds ingredients together) and vanilla or other flavorings. Milk may be added to soften texture.  

Recommendations:

• The darker the better! Eat chocolate with the highest cocoa content — 70% to 85%.
• Plain dark chocolate provides the greatest benefit. Avoid fillings unless they are nuts or dried or fresh fruit. 
• A little goes a long way. Enjoy up to 1 oz. daily. Be sure to trim calories elsewhere to avoid weight gain. 
• Standard larger chocolate bars are around 3.5 oz. (about 100 g), so a good rule of thumb is to eat no more than ⅓ of the bar at a time. 

Nutrition: 8-12 g fat, 0 trans fat per 1 oz. or 28.4 g. Provides magnesium, iron, potassium, calcium and trace amounts of vitamins. 

Milk chocolate. The FDA requires that milk chocolate contain at least 10% cocoa and at least 12% dry milk solids. Like dark chocolate, the remainder is cocoa butter, sugar, an emulsifier and vanilla or other flavorings.

Recommendations:

• Eat in limited amounts. Milk chocolate is filled with more sugar and fat than dark chocolate. 
• Read ingredients on the package to know what you’re getting. ​ 

Nutrition: 12+ g fat per 1 oz or 28.4 g. Provides potassium and trace amounts of vitamins. 

White chocolate. A derivative of chocolate, it’s made of 20% (or more) of cocoa butter and up to 55% sugar, plus milk solids, lecithin and vanilla and other flavorings.  

Recommendations: Avoid or eat in very limited amounts! 

Nutrition: Not much! Mostly sugar and fat.

The bottom line

Chocolate with over 70% cocoa packs the best punch for your health, but enjoy it in small amounts: 100 g of dark chocolate has 500 calories!  

Unsweetened chocolate is 100% cocoa. It’s very bitter and only eaten as part of prepared baked goods. Try using 100% cocoa powder in hot cocoa, homemade baked goods and recipes (replacing milk chocolate) or add it to a smoothie or coffee for rich flavor. 

How Much You Should Eat and Why

• Dark chocolate can be good for your heart when it’s consumed in moderation. 
• Dark chocolate contains a higher percentage of cocoa than other chocolate, and cocoa is rich in antioxidants and flavanols, which have been associated with heart health. 
• While eating lots of dark chocolate isn’t likely to improve heart health, it can be a healthier choice than other junk foods high in sugar and fats. 
• This article was medically reviewed by Jason R. McKnight, MD, MS, a family medicine physician and clinical assistant professor at Texas A&M College of Medicine. 
• Visit Insider’s homepage for more stories.

Various research studies have found that moderate chocolate consumption may have heart benefits. But dark chocolate often sticks out as the best choice. 

Dark chocolate generally contains less sugar than other types of chocolate. More importantly, it has higher concentrations of cocoa powder. Cocoa is made from cacao beans, which have high levels of antioxidants and flavanols, two substances that have been linked to heart health. 

However, before you start binging on dark chocolate, take a moment to understand what the science says — and doesn’t say — about dark chocolate and your heart. 

Dark chocolate may be good for your heart 

Dark chocolate’s heart benefits stem from the large amount of cocoa it contains. Like many other plant-based substances, cocoa has cardiovascular health benefits. 

Flavonoids, a type of molecule found in cocoa — as well as apples, citrus, tea, and other plant foods — has been found to lower blood pressure in those with hypertension. Flavanols, a subgroup of flavonoids that are especially rich in dark chocolate, may also have positive impacts on heart health. 

Flavanols have antioxidant properties. Antioxidants — found in cocoa, berries, spinach and other plant foods — are naturally-occurring molecules that can repair damaged cells and may be able to reduce your risk of

heart disease
. 

For example, research has found that eating foods high in antioxidants and flavonoids can be beneficial to your heart. Specifically, a 2017 study in the Journal of the American Heart Association concluded that dark chocolate, cocoa, and almonds may be able to reduce the risk of coronary artery disease, the most common type of heart disease. 

The study looked at overweight and

obese
individuals ages 30 to 70, who were divided into three groups: one which ate a typical American diet, another that incorporated almonds, and a third that incorporated almonds and dark chocolate. The group that consumed dark chocolate and almonds had the greatest reduction in LDL cholesterol, which is considered a major risk factor for heart disease. 

Moderating dark chocolate is still necessary 

Before you bite into a chunk of dark chocolate, it’s important to remember that moderation is key, says Lauren Gilstrap, MD, a cardiologist at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health Center. 

“I don’t think anybody is going to eat enough chocolate to bring their cholesterol and blood pressure down without doing a lot of other damage to blood sugar, weight, and things like that,” Gilstrap says. 

Studies emphasize this, as well: dark chocolate should only be consumed without “exceeding energy needs,” or indulging in too many calories, according to the study in the Journal of the American Heart Association. There’s no recommended dose of dark chocolate, but the study participants ate 43 grams of dark chocolate per day. 

Additionally, the benefits of dark chocolate are strongest when there is a higher concentration of cocoa: around 80% or more. That type of dark chocolate can taste bitter and isn’t particularly popular with consumers, Gilstrap says, though it is definitely healthier than white or milk chocolate. 

If you’re craving a treat, dark chocolate is a healthier choice than other junk foods high in sugar and fats. But if you’re looking for the heart benefits associated with flavonoids and antioxidants, you’ll also want to eat more almonds, berries, apples, citrus, spinach, and drink black or green tea. 

To learn more about the best diets for heart health, read our article, “What foods lower blood pressure and make up the DASH diet.”

Is Dark Chocolate Really Good for Your Heart?

Chocolate is made from cocoa, which contains polyphenols, which may work as antioxidants that lower LDL cholesterol (the bad kind) and reduce blood pressure. Some experts suggest that eating some chocolate every day can decrease your risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Cocoa contains epicatechins and catechins, which are similar to the polyphenols found in green tea; and quercetin, which is found in fruits and vegetables. Dark chocolate has more antioxidants than milk chocolate because certain processing methods remove the polyphenols, which have a bitter flavor.

Research on Chocolate

Research studies as far back as 2006 looked at chocolate consumption and how it correlated with cardiovascular disease risk in large populations and, indeed, they found a correlation. People who consumed more chocolate of any kind tended to have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. This is interesting information, but the problem with these types of nutrition studies is the large possibility of confounding factors. If people who eat chocolate also do other things that decrease their risk of cardiovascular diseases, researchers and reporters can come to the wrong conclusion.

It’s better to have randomized control trials, which are studies in which one particular therapy (in this case chocolate or cocoa) is studied in such a way that confounding factors are eliminated or at least minimized.

Cocoa appears to have beneficial effects on the function of blood vessels, so it’s possible that chocolate could help people with high blood pressure. Several studies on chocolate’s effect on blood pressure have been completed, and many (but not all) of them demonstrate a decrease in blood pressure readings for the subjects who had high blood pressure.

Problems With These Studies

Unfortunately, there are a couple of problems. The studies that showed decreases in blood pressure were mostly open-label studies. That means both the subjects and researchers knew what they were taking and why they were taking it. That’s a big issue because when people know that the substance they’re taking may improve their health, they’re more likely to show health improvements that have nothing to do with that substance (it’s called the placebo effect). Most of the studies that were double-blind studies (neither the researcher nor the subjects knew if they were taking the real chocolate or a placebo) didn’t show that same decrease in blood pressure.

Another problem with these studies is that different brands of chocolate were used in various studies. Processing methods may vary considerably from company to company (and often those methods are secret), so the quality and amounts of antioxidants could have differed.

Polyphenols like those found in chocolate may be able to lower cholesterol. Research findings from two different studies published in 2010 showed some promise that cocoa could reduce LDL cholesterol and increase HDL cholesterol (the good kind). But they were small studies. Larger studies are needed to see how much affect cocoa really has on cholesterol levels.

Cocoa also contains small amounts of xanthines (theobromine, theophylline, and caffeine) and another compound called phenylethylamine. But since chocolate contains only small quantities of these compounds they probably don’t have any impact on your health.

It’s possible that eating a little bit of chocolate (dark chocolate has the most antioxidants) may help reduce your blood pressure (if you have high blood pressure), but the evidence isn’t all that strong. So when you balance that with the added fat and sugar found in chocolate treats, you need to watch the amount you consume. A small quantity of dark chocolate (less than 100 to 200 calories based upon your daily need) is fine, but don’t think of it as medicine and expect it to lower your blood pressure; there may be many other lifestyle and dietary factors involved.

Dark Chocolate and Heart Health

If you’re like most people, you probably love chocolate and red wine but avoid them to stay healthy and fit. Healthy chocolate sounds too good to be true, but studies show that eating it may reduce your risk of heart disease.

Chocolate and Heart Health

Adding small amounts of chocolate, especially dark chocolate, to your diet may be a heart-healthy choice. Chocolate does contain a substantial amount of fat, sugar and calories, so you should eat it in moderation to avoid potential problems with weight gain, diabetes and high blood pressure. You should choose dark chocolate with a cocoa content of 65 percent or more and limit your intake to three ounces per day which adds up to about 450 calories. Keep in mind you may need to step up your exercise routine to keep these additional calories under control. Studies show that eating one square of dark chocolate a day can lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of stroke and heart by as much as 40 percent. Chocolate reduces LDL “bad” cholesterol and promotes flexibility in arteries and veins.

Why Dark Chocolate?

Dark chocolate, also called semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, usually contains a minimum of 60 percent cocoa solids with very little or no added sugar. You can find it in candy, chocolate bars and baking chocolate.

Flavonoids, plant produced phytochemicals, are found in cocoa beans, the main ingredient in chocolate. They are also found in red wine, cranberries, apples, onions and other fruits and vegetables. These flavonoids have been shown in some studies to reduce cell damage associated with heart disease. Since dark chocolate has higher concentrations of cocoa, it also has more flavonoids that in turn increase health benefits. Do other foods contain higher amounts of flavoniods? Surprisingly, the answer is not really. Although plant based flavonoids are found in many other food sources, cocoa beans have extremely high amounts. For example, a dark chocolate candy bar has 5 times more flavonoids than a healthy apple.

Milk Chocolate vs Dark Chocolate

To get antioxidant benefits from flavonoids, you have to eat dark chocolate. Milk binds to flavonoids in chocolate and renders them ineffective, so milk chocolate offers fewer health benefits. If you choose a delicious milk chocolate candy bar, you’ll be getting more calories and sugar than beneficial flavonoids. Even if you drink a glass of milk with your dark chocolate bar, you may lose the antioxidant benefits from the dark chocolate. Pure white chocolate contains no cocoa solids and no flavonoids.

Additional Benefits of Dark Chocolate

• Immune System – flavonoids in chocolate may act as antioxidants that fight inflammation, infection and disease.
• Mood – chocolate stimulates the production of endorphins in the brain which elevate mood by producing a sense of pleasure, happiness and well-being.
• Weight – dark chocolate reduces cravings for sweet, salty and fatty foods. Although it does contain fats, two-thirds of the fats in dark chocolate are healthy fats.
• Skin Health – antioxidants protect the body from premature aging by promoting collagen production for clear, healthy skin.
• Diabetes – flavonoids in dark chocolate may help reduce insulin resistance and control insulin sensitivity.

Although dark chocolate is a delicious way to boost heart health, a healthy diet and lifestyle are your best weapons to fight cardiovascular disease. If you’ve been diagnosed with heart problems, talk to your doctor about healthy foods, exercises and vitamins for heart disease patients. Your choices impact your long-term benefits for a healthy heart.

Eating chocolate once a week can lower your risk of heart disease: study

Guilty pleasure? More like superfood.

Researchers conducted a combined analysis of studies from the past five decades that looked for links between eating chocolate and coronary artery disease, which included data from more than 336,000 participants who reported their chocolate consumption. And those who ate chocolate more than once a week were associated with an 8% lower risk of blocked arteries, compared with those who indulged in chocolate less than once a week.

“Our study suggests that chocolate helps keep the heart’s blood vessels healthy,” explained study author Dr. Chayakrit Krittanawong of Baylor College of Medicine in Houston in a statement. “Chocolate contains heart healthy nutrients such as flavonoids, methylxanthines, polyphenols and stearic acid which may reduce inflammation and increase good cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein or HDL cholesterol).”

His findings build on previous research that finds consuming cocoa reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke, and lowers the risk of death by cardiovascular disease. Scientists believe that the flavonoids found in chocolate (and red wine) do this by lowering blood pressure and improving vascular function, aka how effectively your blood delivers oxygen and nutrients throughout your body, as well as carrying away waste materials.

That’s good news for the many people who’ve been turning to sweet, sweet chocolate during the coronavirus outbreak. In fact, Americans spent $3.7 billion on chocolate in the 17-week period that ended June 27, which is up 6.3% from the same window last year, Nielsen reported. And while dark chocolate sales were up 13.6%, milk chocolate has proven to be the sweet most people are sinking their teeth into during the pandemic, with Americans dropping $2.9 billion on it.

Privately held Mars told CNN it’s seen online sales of chocolate candy like M&Ms “skyrocket.” Hershey
US:HSY
 reported that sales of chocolate syrup, baking chips and cocoa were up 30% in March as quarantining families stocked up to spend time together baking. While sales have slipped as the pandemic has dragged on, the company is hopeful that more at-home consumption, as well as stores replenishing their inventories as more markets reopen, will soon boost sales again.

Related:Hershey profit beats estimates as sales fall short

This new study on eating chocolate didn’t examine portion sizes, however, or whether subjects were savoring dark chocolate, milk chocolate or some other cocoa confection to feed their weekly chocolate habit.

So Dr. Alice Lichtenstein, an American Heart Association volunteer and professor of nutrition science and policy at Tufts University, was more skeptical of the findings. She told MarketWatch that the new report didn’t take the lifestyle characteristics of the chocolate eaters consideration, for example.

“People who are more likely to admit regularly eating chocolate may more likely be a healthy body weight, regularly engage in physically active and/or be less stressed. Each factor could independently impact on cardiovascular,” she said.

So while several studies suggest that dark chocolate, in particular, can have numerous health benefits, it should be eaten in moderation as part of a balanced diet, along with healthy lifestyle practices such as getting enough sleep and exercise. It’s not a sweet, silver bullet for heart disease on its own. “And if the chocolate was not substituted for another food, weight gain would likely occur,” Lichtenstein warned.

Among the research in chocolate’s favor:

As noted above, chocolate has been shown to lower blood pressure. Subjects with high blood pressure who ate dark chocolate or other flavanol-rich cocoa for two weeks in a 2010 study lowered their blood pressure more than the subjects who were taking a placebo.

Research teams at Harvard and in Denmark have also found evidence that chocolate can help prevent atrial fibrillation (aka AFib), an irregular heart rhythm that can raise a person’s risk of heart failure, stroke, dementia and even death. The study of more than 55,000 people over 13 years found that those who had two to six servings of chocolate per week had a 20% lower risk of AFib compared with those who ate chocolate less than once per month. (It should be noted that chocolate seemed to lose its halo effect if people ate more than six servings of chocolate per week, however, so this isn’t an excuse to binge.)

Consuming dark chocolate and red wine can also improve blood flow to the brain, and reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s or some other type of dementia, according to a multidecade research project out of Tufts and Boston universities. The recent report found that those with the highest intake of flavonoid foods (which also include tea, berries and apples) were the least likely to develop dementia. The theory is that the flavonoids (antioxidant compounds found in plant foods) protect neurons in the brain from toxins, and also help fight inflammation.

Read more:Cheers! Chocolate and red wine may help you avoid Alzheimer’s

Chocolate has also been shown to boost athletic performance, improve moods and lower stress.

But keep in mind that most chocolaty treats are often chock-full of sugar, fat and other additives to make them even tastier, which can mitigate the positive health benefits with negative side effects such as weight gain or acne flare-ups in adults. A standard dark chocolate bar with 70% to 85% cacao packs about 600 calories and 24 grams of sugar, the American Heart Association notes. Milk chocolate has roughly the same number of calories, but twice the amount of sugar. Nutritionists generally recommend sticking to 1 ounce of dark chocolate per serving to maximize health benefits while balancing calories.

The benefits of chocolate for the heart

Benefits of chocolate for the heart

The health benefits of chocolate have long been uncontested. Scientists consider its effect on the heart and the entire cardiovascular system to be especially valuable. Good work of the heart is due to the flexibility and good patency of the arteries that promptly transport blood through all the vessels of the body. Scientific observations have shown that regular consumption of cocoa and dark chocolate contributes to the normalization of the functions of the cardiovascular system.

Scientists have found that cocoa and dark chocolate have a beneficial effect on the condition of the arteries and maintain their health due to the fact that the natural compounds contained in them prevent the formation of deposits on the walls of blood vessels.

Scientists at Yale University conducted an experiment in which they invited forty-five volunteers to be examined for the effect of eating dark chocolate on the circulatory system. The first indications were recorded before its use, and the subsequent ones after.The results amazed everyone: the test subjects’ blood pressure decreased, and blood flow improved literally two hours after eating chocolate and lasted for some time.

The amazing effect of chocolate on the heart

Of course, it takes a long time to investigate the long-term effects of chocolate on people with high blood pressure. However, due to the availability and popularity of this product, experience is rapidly accumulating. As a result of research, the following properties of cocoa and chocolate were revealed.

• Ability to dilate arteries, which leads to a decrease in blood pressure and, due to good blood flow, reduces stress on the heart muscles.
• Reducing the concentration of cholesterol in the blood, thereby preventing the formation of cholesterol plaques on the walls of blood vessels and, as a result, preventing vascular occlusion.
• Prevention of blood clots, as cocoa and dark chocolate help to reduce increased blood clotting.

Antioxidants

Scientists see the reason for such a powerful effect of dark chocolate and cocoa on the human body in the abundance of antioxidants in these products – plant compounds that are also found in green tea and red wine.As we know from biology lessons, legumes are the most powerful sources of antioxidants, and cocoa also belongs to the legume family. The antioxidants found in cocoa and its products belong to the polyphenol class. Similar plant compounds are found in many fruits, vegetables, and berries.

Cocoa flavonoids and its derivatives, getting into the blood, begin an open fight with its unstable molecules – free radicals. These same free radicals help “bad” cholesterol to create the very “plaques” on the walls of blood vessels, leading to their blockage.For blood to flow smoothly and freely, the walls of the vessels must be elastic and flexible. The vessels are provided with these properties by nitric oxide. Experiments have proven that flavonoids are involved in its production.

Prevention of cardiovascular diseases

Mankind has known about the benefits of red wine since ancient times. It was prescribed for anemia, for blood loss, simply for general weakness. The healing power of green tea has also been known in the east since ancient times. All the merit of these products in the content of antioxidants.The fact that these same compounds make dark chocolate and cocoa indispensable has become known to mankind not so long ago.

In 2006, a unique study by Dutch scientists was published, who for 15 years monitored a group of elderly people in the amount of 470 people. People were divided into groups based on the amount of cocoa and cocoa products they consumed. For 15 years, a lot has changed, some simply did not live to see the end of the experiment due to their advanced age.Studies have shown that during this time, among those who actively consumed cocoa, there were half the deaths and serious diseases due to problems of the cardiovascular system.

According to researchers, the reason for this phenomenon lies in the fact that high blood pressure most often leads to death and heart disease. It puts a lot of stress on the heart and blood vessels. Consuming cocoa helps to lower blood pressure, thus preventing many diseases.

Elastic free vessels – a guarantee of better blood flow

As stated above, the consumption of cocoa and dark chocolate has a beneficial effect on blood vessels, helping them to relax, become elastic and flexible.

Genetic scientists at Harvard University who study American Aborigines have noticed one oddity that the indigenous inhabitants of the San Blas Islands of Panama, the Kuna Indians, do not develop high blood pressure with age, although their diet is no less rich in sodium than other Panamanians. At first, this feature was attributed to genetic, but later they noticed that those Indians who, for some reason, moved to live in Panama, the pressure begins to grow. This gave rise to a detailed study of their diet.It seemed that the average Kuna Indian drinks 5-6 cups of cocoa, and when moving, not everyone has the opportunity to do this regularly.

Prevention of thrombosis

Briefly about the fact that cocoa and dark chocolate are involved in the prevention of blood clots, it was noted above, but I would like to highlight this point in more detail. Whether we like it or not, cholesterol is always present in our blood. The myth that it is in the blood only of those who eat animal food, and vegetarians do not have it, has long outlived its usefulness.Everyone has it, if cholesterol does not enter the bloodstream from food, the body synthesizes it itself. So, when cholesterol meets a free radical, it can react with it – oxidize. This oxidized or “bad” cholesterol is the material for building the so-called “plaques” on the walls of blood vessels. These plaques adhere to the walls of blood vessels and pose a serious threat to health and can destroy it.

The body seeks to correct the situation and sends a platelet to the place of plaque accumulation.Platelets cope with some plaques, and they simply adhere to some, which aggravates the situation. The consequence of this is the blockage of blood vessels and the formation of large blood clots. Blockage of blood vessels is fraught with heart attacks and strokes, and blood clots are attached to the wall until a certain time, but if they come off, this is certain death.

Antioxidants remove free radicals and neutralize them, and, as a result, prevent the oxidation of cholesterol in the blood. A number of studies have shown that drinking cocoa regularly for two to four weeks is enough for the results to be felt.So you can combine the useful with the pleasant – at the same time you can enjoy drinking a delicious drink and heal at the same time.

90,000 Is chocolate good for the heart? Many people ask this question

By ratico19 Read 3 min. Views 2.9k. Published 05/26/2014

The popularity of chocolate is so great that discussion of its properties does not stop for a minute in the entire history of its existence.Opinions about this delicacy are polar in nature – some consider chocolate to be almost a miracle cure for all diseases, others, on the contrary, do not get tired of talking about its harm to our body. Where is the truth and which camp is worth joining?

Neither statement can be considered a true judgment about chocolate. If you absorb chocolate without knowing the measure, your health will not improve from this, and the question of where to put those extra pounds will become very acute. Some types of chocolate are really good only as a sweetness for tea, but otherwise they are of little use.But if you consume chocolate in dosage and give preference to varieties with a high content of cocoa beans, then the benefits of it are undeniable – and this is a scientifically proven fact.

Is chocolate good for the heart?

Scientists say with confidence that chocolate is good for the heart. How does chocolate affect the work of such an important organ? Immediately it is necessary to make a reservation that only the use of dark chocolate, otherwise called bitter, will bring benefits. After all, it is the polyphenols, which are found in large quantities in cocoa beans, that have a beneficial effect on the work of the cardiovascular system.Therefore, to the question: “Is chocolate good for the heart, regardless of its type? “- the unequivocal answer is no.

The positive effects of dark chocolate on the cardiovascular system

Chocolate is certainly not a medicine for heart disease. And he cannot restore the normal functioning of a diseased heart. But it is quite possible to prevent some problems by consuming dark chocolate.

• Chocolate affects the blood flow, thus lightening the burden on the heart.
• Reduces blood pressure, and hypertensive patients are known to suffer from cardiovascular diseases more often than anyone else.
• Influences the level of cholesterol in the blood, helping to reduce it. This means it keeps the blood vessels healthy for as long as possible.
• Swedish scientists conducted a study during which the following evidence was obtained – moderate consumption of dark chocolate reduces the risk of death among patients with heart disease.
• Italian scientists recently found that the inclusion of small portions of dark chocolate in the core diet significantly slowed down the hardening of the artery walls, which is believed to be the root cause of heart attack.

Why chocolate affects our body in this way, scientists cannot explain for sure. Its benefits are believed to be due to the presence of high levels of flavonoids, antioxidants, and polyphenols. Doctors recommend dark chocolate as a preventive measure to prevent the development of heart disease.

However, scientists emphasize that when describing the beneficial qualities of chocolate for cores, they rely on the results of studies on the properties of cocoa without added sugar or other impurities. Therefore, not all chocolate is good for the heart. All kinds of chocolate desserts and sweets, which we are used to thinking of as chocolate, contain a lot of foreign impurities and additives, which deprives them of the right to be ranked as healthy products for the heart. For your health, indulge in only high quality dark chocolate, high in cocoa and low in sugar.

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90,000 Bitter chocolate is good for the heart! But all thanks to bacteria! – HealthInfo

The positive effects of dark chocolate on health have been praised for centuries, but the true reason for this effect has remained a mystery until today.Scientists have found that a certain type of bacteria in the gut absorbs chocolate and forms anti-inflammatory substances from it that are good for the heart.

“We found that there are two types of microorganisms in the digestive tract: good and bad,” explains Maria Moore, one of the researchers. “Good bacteria like bifidobacteria and lactic acid bacteria consume chocolate. When you eat dark chocolate, they grow and recycle it, producing various substances that have anti-inflammatory properties. “Other bacteria are associated with inflammation and can cause diarrhea, flatulence, and constipation. These include Clostridia and E . coli . “When the substances produced by bacteria are consumed by the body, they reduce inflammation in the heart and blood vessels, thereby lowering the risk of stroke,” said John Finley, who leads the study. He claims that his study is the first to examine the effects of dark chocolate on various types of bacteria in the gut.

A team of scientists studied three types of cocoa powder using a digestive system consisting of multiple tubes to depict normal digestion. Finley explains that cocoa powder, an essential ingredient in chocolate, contains several antioxidant substances, namely catechin and epicatechin, as well as a small amount of dietary fiber. But these substances are poorly digested and absorbed, but bacteria are taken up in the intestines. “In our work, we found that catechin, epicatechin and fibers are converted into smaller molecules that are easily absorbed by the body.And these smaller molecules have anti-inflammatory effects, ”says Finley.

Finley also noted that combining dark chocolate fibers with prebiotics improves overall human health and promotes the conversion of antioxidant to anti-inflammatory substances in the gut. “When you consume prebiotics, the good bacteria grow and they crowd out unwanted bacteria, such as those that can cause digestive problems,” he adds.Prebiotics are carbohydrates found in garlic, whole grain flour, and several other foods. The human body cannot completely digest these substances, but bacteria like to feed on them. Food supplements also contain these substances – food for the beneficial inhabitants of the intestines.

Finley says even greater health benefits can be obtained by combining dark chocolate with fresh fruits such as pomegranates and acai berries.

So, scientists have again proven the undoubted benefits of dark chocolate, the inclusion of which in the diet will definitely contribute to the health of your cardiovascular system.

Everything about the heart in our special project “Close to the Heart”!

Chocolate is good for the heart / HB

Tsei material is also available in Ukrainian – vascular diseases.

Scientists have found that the risk of coronary heart disease is reduced by 8% if chocolate is eaten regularly enough.

“Our study shows that chocolate helps maintain healthy blood vessels in the heart,” said study author Dr. Chayakrit Krittanavong of Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.

“In the past, clinical studies have shown that chocolate is beneficial for both blood pressure and the lining of blood vessels. I wanted to see if this affects the blood vessels that feed the heart (coronary arteries) or not. And if so, is it good or bad? ”He added.

Researchers conducted a combined analysis of studies over the past five decades that examined the relationship between chocolate consumption and coronary artery disease (blockage of the coronary arteries). The analysis included six studies with a total of 336,289 participants who reported their chocolate consumption.

During a median follow-up of nearly nine years, 14,043 participants developed coronary artery disease and 4,667 developed a heart attack (when coronary artery disease progresses and blood flow to the heart is suddenly blocked).

Compared to consuming chocolate less than once a week, consuming chocolate more often than once a week reduced the risk of coronary heart disease by 8%.

Dr. Krittanavong said, “Chocolate contains heart-healthy nutrients such as flavonoids, methylxanthines, polyphenols and stearic acid, which can reduce inflammation and raise good cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein or HDL cholesterol).”

He noted that the study did not look at whether any particular type of chocolate is healthier or if there is an ideal serving size.

“Chocolate looks promising for the prevention of coronary heart disease, but more research is needed to determine exactly how much and what kind of chocolate to recommend,” he said.

While it is not clear exactly how much chocolate is optimal, Dr. Krittanavong warns against overeating.

“Moderate amounts of chocolate appear to protect coronary arteries, but large amounts probably do not. It is necessary to take into account the calories, sugar, milk and fat in commercially available products, especially for diabetics and obese people, ”the scientist emphasized.

Earlier, HB wrote that some foods that are considered harmful are actually very beneficial to health. It’s all about the ability to observe measure.

In particular, eggs contain choline, a substance whose shortage affects almost two-thirds of the population. Choline plays an important role in the structure of cell membranes, as well as molecules responsible for interconnections in the brain. And blood cholesterol is more influenced by saturated fats and trans fats than by cholesterol in eggs.

A, for example, dark chocolate with a high cocoa content is incredibly healthy. So much so that many doctors recommend including it in your daily diet, thanks to its flavonoids. These antioxidants have a beneficial effect on the circulatory system and thus protect against heart disease.

A recent study by Swiss scientists from the University of Zurich has shown that daily consumption of dark chocolate leads to a decrease in the level of cortisol, known as the stress hormone.

Which chocolate is good for the heart and blood vessels? What is its use?

When we enjoy chocolate, we get a boost of high spirits along with energy. And these are not far-fetched sensations, but the most real beneficial effect of chocolate on the human body. Scientists have found that chocolate promotes the production of serotonin – one of the “hormones of happiness”. But the benefits of chocolate are not limited to this.It is known that dark chocolate protects the heart, improves the functioning of the cardiovascular system, helps to lower cholesterol and blood pressure.

Which chocolate is good for the heart?

People sometimes ask which chocolate is good for the heart? This is considered a product containing at least 70% cocoa.

One can speak about the benefits of chocolate only when it is not overflowing with sugar and other fillers. That is, we are not talking about milk or white chocolate.This does not include a variety of sweets and chocolate desserts, in which chocolate is present only in the name, but in their composition there are so many unnecessary additives, thanks to which these products turn out to be useless for the heart at best.

If you really want to take care of your “motor”, then it is better to buy a bar of dark chocolate, or any one in which most of the cocoa beans and least of all sugar.

Scientists have compared the effect of dark, milk and white chocolate on platelet function, comparing samples of venous blood taken from healthy volunteers before and after eating these foods.Milk and white chocolate practically did not affect the work of platelets, but dark chocolate slowed down the process of platelet aggregation, that is, thrombus formation, and this is an extremely important point in the prevention of thromboembolic and cardiovascular diseases.

In addition, sweeter chocolate is a very high-calorie food that can easily provoke weight gain and heart obesity.

What makes chocolate so healthy?

Flavonoids

Scientists have become interested in how chocolate protects the heart, and devoted a lot of research to this.They managed to find out that substances that give chocolate a bitter taste have useful properties. These are flavonoids that cause an expansion of the lumen of the heart arteries, due to which the blood supply to the myocardium is immediately improved, and the risk of blood clots, on the contrary, decreases.

In the manufacture of dark chocolate, it is possible to preserve epicatechins (flavonoids that are derivatives of phenol and have strong antioxidant properties). In addition, the mitochondrial activity of cells is improved.Clinical trials have shown the positive effects of dark chocolate on blood pressure, vascular atherogenicity and blood lipid profile.

Chocolate is considered a cardioprotective agent due to the content of antioxidants and flavonoids, for example, proanthocyanidin, which acts on the endothelium of blood vessels, prevents their blockage and inflammation, because all this causes atherosclerosis. Flavonoids are able to reduce the content of “bad” cholesterol in the blood, promote estrogen synthesis and lower blood pressure.

There are similar substances in red wine, which has similar properties.

But in the production of sweet chocolate, instead of flavonoids, it contains sugar and other fillers. Therefore, milk chocolate completely loses the beneficial properties inherent in cocoa.

It is necessary to learn that the most useful chocolate for the heart and blood vessels is the one in which there is more cocoa, and, accordingly, it is more bitter.

There is even a study that has shown the beneficial effects of dark chocolate on the brain of older people – it is even more beneficial than aerobic exercise.

With age, the vessels begin to react more strongly to cocoa flavonoids, so this delicious treatment helps the elderly more than the young.

Microelements

Dark chocolate contains a lot of iron, magnesium and zinc, which are needed to strengthen the immune system. It also contains selenium – an important trace element.

Caffeine and theobromine

The most obvious advantage of cocoa and real chocolate is that it contains natural antidepressants – caffeine and theobromine, which bind free radicals in the body and normalize metabolic processes.

Only 0.4% of theobromine is present in cocoa fruits, but this is enough to increase the vitality of the body, its tone and relieve a person from fatigue. Caffeine, contained in an amount of no more than 0.1%, noticeably tones the body.

Neurotransmitters

The cocoa beans contain biologically active substances that catalyze the production of brain hormones by the body – neurotransmitters (tryptophan, serotonin, dopamine), they give a person energy and raise mood, drive him out of depression, apathy, blues.They also suppress the production of cortisol by the adrenal glands, a hormone responsible for nervous tension in the psyche. This is how it turns out – as soon as you eat a few pieces of dark chocolate, life will seem calmer!

Useful properties of chocolate

As you know, most people in the world die from coronary heart disease and its varieties, such as myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, etc. The process of heart ischemia can be successfully resisted by cocoa and chocolate, which contain many flavonoids and polyphenols.Dark chocolate is also useful for cardiac arrhythmias. What other positive properties does chocolate have, and how does that relate to the heart?

• When a person consumes dark chocolate, the content of epicatechin in the blood plasma increases, which improves the condition of the endothelium – the inner walls of blood and lymph vessels and the endocardium of the heart.
• Cocoa activates blood flow, thereby facilitating the work of the heart, and normalizing blood circulation.
• It helps to lower blood pressure, because hypertension is part of a large group of cardiovascular diseases.
• Chocolate is good for the heart also because cocoa helps to reduce blood cholesterol levels, thereby slowing down the process of atherosclerosis.
• As a result of studies carried out by Swedish scientists, it was found that moderate consumption of dark chocolate by patients with heart problems slightly reduces the risk of death.
• Italian researchers found that if cores begin to consume dark chocolate in moderation, then the process of vascular sclerotization slows down, and the likelihood of heart attacks decreases.
• This tasty product helps to cleanse the blood, reduces the level of C-reactive protein, which is a marker of the onset of the inflammatory process.
• Dark chocolate is good for men – eating a bar of chocolate a week reduces their risk of stroke by 17% over the next 10 years of life.
• 30 g of dark chocolate a day – and the risk of developing cardiac problems in men will decrease by a quarter, and even more in women – by a third. The likelihood of developing heart ailments is reduced by 37%.
• When consumed regularly, chocolate can prevent vascular stenosis leading to strokes and heart attacks.

Not only bitter chocolate heals the heart, but the cocoa drink also allows you to reduce atherogenic factors (that is, those under the influence of which the process of atherosclerosis is accelerated in the body). Therefore, cocoa can also improve the condition of blood vessels from several sides. The polyphenols in cocoa have many vascular and heart protective properties.They are of great importance in modulating inflammatory markers (C-reactive proteins) involved in the process of atherosclerosis and aging of the body. In patients with a high risk of cardiovascular disease, the use of these cocoa substances can affect inflammatory mediators, providing an anti-inflammatory effect, weakening and inhibiting the process of atherosclerosis.

Chocolate has a positive effect on the body as a whole, for example, dark chocolate in healthy people increases insulin sensitivity.And Canadian scientists have found out another positive property of chocolate – to prevent the formation of tartar on the teeth.

It is curious, but in the 19th century hot chocolate was sold in pharmacies, and not just as a pleasure, but as a means to strengthen strength and vigor.

As you can see, the positive effects of cocoa beans on the human body are not disputed, but only if consumed in moderation. After all, chocolate can be eaten to prevent heart disease.

How often do you eat chocolate and did you know about its miraculous effect on the body in general and the heart in particular? Let us know in the comments.

90,000 Is dark chocolate good for the heart? Bitter Chocolate and Heart Health

nine

Diets and healthy eating

17.09.2017

Cocoa is an unforgettable taste of our wonderful childhood, this sweet hot drink was prepared for us in the morning by our mothers and grandmothers, charging us with energy for the whole day.Adults also love it for its unique taste and feeling of cheerfulness and mild euphoria after using it. We often call this drink hot chocolate, and indeed, chocolate and cocoa powder are made from the fruits of the same trees.

These trees grow in tropical regions and belong to the genus Theobroma, we call them chocolate trees, and the word “cocoa” means their fruit and is rooted in the distant past of the peoples of Central America. In the language of the Maya peoples, it was mentioned for several millennia before the present era.Today, dear readers, we will talk about the health benefits of cocoa, and also find out if this delicious drink can harm us.

So how is cocoa good for you? The drink is useful already because we feel a surge of positive emotions after taking it. And if we consider its composition, then there will be not the slightest doubt about the beneficial properties of cocoa. The benefits of cocoa with milk are increased due to the important properties of dairy products, and we drink it most often with milk. A reasonable question often arises, is there caffeine in cocoa? Compared to coffee, cocoa drink contains a small amount of caffeine, but other equally significant alkaloids are found in it.

Cocoa composition

Cocoa powder contains theobromine, which has a similar effect to caffeine, helps to overcome stress and gives us an energy boost, as well as theophylline, which has a wide therapeutic effect on the human body.

The beneficial properties of cocoa include the presence of theophylline in powder, which has vasodilating properties, which affects the function of the respiratory muscles and reduces the spasm of large blood vessels.

Phenylethylamine acts on our body as a mild antidepressant, and melanin is involved in thermoregulation and protection from sun exposure.In addition to these important elements, cocoa powder contains fats, carbohydrates, proteins, organic acids, essential unsaturated fatty acids, flavonoids.

Vitamins of group B, A, E, PP, beta carotene, folic acid can be distinguished among vitamins. The mineral composition is no less extensive, it is calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, iron, copper, zinc, fluorine, manganese and other trace elements.

Caloric content of cocoa

Cocoa belongs to high-calorie foods, so we feel full after just one cup.How many calories are in cocoa? 100 grams of cocoa powder contains 290 kcal. But do not be intimidated by these numbers, because 100 grams of cocoa powder is about 6 tablespoons. For a cup of drink, two teaspoons or one tablespoon is usually enough; it is not difficult to calculate that a cup of cocoa contains about 48 kcal.

The calorie content of cocoa with milk or cream increases depending on the fat content of dairy products and is approximately 168 kcal. If we add 2 teaspoons of sugar to a cup, then the calorie content of the drink will increase to 200 kcal.For people with weight problems, this is a lot, but for most of us, the high calorie content of the drink will only benefit and help to get a boost of vigor and efficiency in the morning.

Can I drink cocoa at night

Whatever useful properties cocoa may have, it is necessary to observe moderation when using it. Cocoa belongs to high-calorie energy drinks, so it is not advisable to drink it at night, the best time to take it is in the morning or the first half of the day, when we need to get a boost of energy.

Cocoa. Health benefits and harms

Any food product can be both useful and harmful to our health, it depends on the quality of the product itself, on its tolerance, on the characteristics of the organism, on the presence of certain diseases in a person. Therefore, we will consider both the health benefits and health risks of this delicious drink.

The presence of antioxidants in cocoa powder speaks of the benefits of the drink for the whole body, since these substances help fight the oxidative effect of free radicals that destroy the cells of our body and lead to aging of all organs and systems.Let’s take a look at some of the other benefits of cocoa.

Benefits of cocoa for the heart and blood vessels

The presence of flavonoids and many other important substances in cocoa makes cocoa useful for our vessels, since these substances improve the vital activity of all organs, reduce the fragility of blood vessels and improve their elasticity. The beneficial properties of cocoa are enhanced by the presence of niacin, which is involved in lipid metabolism and lowers bad cholesterol.

Potassium macronutrient serves for the prevention of cardiac arrhythmias, as it takes part in the normalization of heart contractions.Magnesium is important for the heart and for the arteries, it is involved in the oxygen supply of the heart muscle, in the normalization of blood pressure.

For the bone and muscular system

Dear readers, you will find a lot of recipes for beauty hair masks with the addition of cocoa on the Internet, I offer you the simplest mask for dry weakened hair. Try it!

Hair mask with cocoa

Mix a spoonful of cocoa powder with a little warm water so that you get a homogeneous mass.Add whipped egg yolk to it, stir and add two tablespoons of kefir or yogurt last. Apply the mask to the roots and distribute through the hair, put on a plastic cap and wrap your head with a towel. After 25 to 30 minutes, rinse your hair thoroughly with warm water.

Benefits of cocoa for facial skin

Masks made from cocoa powder for the face are very popular, because they contain many biologically active substances that nourish the skin and improve its condition. You can prepare a cocoa mask for any skin by adding various natural ingredients to it.Masks with the addition of cocoa moisturize and nourish dry skin, reduce inflammation in oily skin, improve complexion, and smooth out wrinkles. Be sure to try, you will find many different mask recipes in my article

Cocoa during pregnancy and breastfeeding

During pregnancy, the main criterion for choosing certain products is safety for the expectant mother and child, and there are certain restrictions. Can pregnant women have cocoa? It is difficult to give an unequivocal answer to this question, you need to be guided by your well-being, the data of the results of clinical tests and the doctor’s recommendations.

Despite the fact that cocoa is rich in iron, zinc, folic acid, which are necessary during pregnancy, this drink belongs to products that can cause allergic reactions, and in pregnant women, the sensitivity to various allergens increases, this must be taken into account. Pregnant women often have high blood pressure, in this case, cocoa, like coffee, is not recommended. You will have to give up the drink for kidney disease and increased uterine tone.

If you feel well, a small cup of cocoa 2 times a week will not hurt a pregnant woman, but only benefit, the main thing is to listen to your body and ask your doctor questions to dispel any doubts.

Benefits of chocolate for the heart

The health benefits of chocolate have long been uncontested. Scientists consider its effect on the heart and the entire cardiovascular system to be especially valuable. Good work of the heart is due to the flexibility and good patency of the arteries that promptly transport blood through all the vessels of the body.Scientific observations have shown that regular consumption of cocoa and dark chocolate contributes to the normalization of the functions of the cardiovascular system.

Scientists have found that cocoa and dark chocolate have a beneficial effect on the condition of the arteries and maintain their health due to the fact that the natural compounds contained in them prevent the formation of deposits on the walls of blood vessels.

Scientists at Yale University conducted an experiment in which they invited forty-five volunteers to be examined for the effect of eating dark chocolate on the circulatory system.The first indications were recorded before its use, and the subsequent ones after. The results amazed everyone: the test subjects’ blood pressure decreased, and blood flow improved literally two hours after eating chocolate and lasted for some time.

The amazing effect of chocolate on the heart

Of course, it takes a long time to investigate the long-term effects of chocolate on people with high blood pressure. However, due to the availability and popularity of this product, experience is rapidly accumulating.As a result of research, the following properties of cocoa and chocolate were revealed.

• Ability to dilate arteries, which leads to a decrease in blood pressure and, due to good blood flow, reduces stress on the heart muscles.
• Reducing the concentration of cholesterol in the blood, thereby preventing the formation of cholesterol plaques on the walls of blood vessels and, as a result, preventing vascular occlusion.
• Prevention of blood clots, as cocoa and dark chocolate help to reduce increased blood clotting.

Antioxidants

Scientists see the reason for such a powerful effect of dark chocolate and cocoa on the human body in the abundance of antioxidants in these products – plant compounds that are also found in green tea and red wine. As we know from biology lessons, legumes are the most powerful sources of antioxidants, and cocoa also belongs to the legume family. The antioxidants found in cocoa and its products belong to the polyphenol class.Similar plant compounds are found in many fruits, vegetables, and berries.

Cocoa flavonoids and its derivatives, getting into the blood, begin an open fight with its unstable molecules – free radicals. These same free radicals help “bad” cholesterol to create the very “plaques” on the walls of blood vessels, leading to their blockage. For blood to flow smoothly and freely, the walls of the vessels must be elastic and flexible. The vessels are provided with these properties by nitric oxide.Experiments have proven that flavonoids are involved in its production.

Prevention of cardiovascular diseases

Mankind has known about the benefits of red wine since ancient times. It was prescribed for anemia, for blood loss, simply for general weakness. The healing power of green tea has also been known in the east since ancient times. All the merit of these products in the content of antioxidants. The fact that these same compounds make dark chocolate and cocoa indispensable has become known to mankind not so long ago.

In 2006, a unique study by Dutch scientists was published, who for 15 years monitored a group of elderly people in the amount of 470 people. People were divided into groups based on the amount of cocoa and cocoa products they consumed. For 15 years, a lot has changed, some simply did not live to see the end of the experiment due to their advanced age. Studies have shown that during this time, among those who actively consumed cocoa, there were half the deaths and serious diseases due to problems of the cardiovascular system.

According to researchers, the reason for this phenomenon lies in the fact that high blood pressure most often leads to death and heart disease. It puts a lot of stress on the heart and blood vessels. Consuming cocoa helps to lower blood pressure, thus preventing many diseases.

Elastic free vessels – a guarantee of better blood flow

As stated above, the consumption of cocoa and dark chocolate has a beneficial effect on blood vessels, helping them to relax, become elastic and flexible.

Genetic scientists at Harvard University who study American Aborigines have noticed one oddity that the indigenous inhabitants of the San Blas Islands of Panama, the Kuna Indians, do not develop high blood pressure with age, although their diet is no less rich in sodium than other Panamanians. At first, this feature was attributed to genetic, but later they noticed that those Indians who, for some reason, moved to live in Panama, the pressure begins to grow. This gave rise to a detailed study of their diet.It seemed that the average Kuna Indian drinks 5-6 cups of cocoa, and when moving, not everyone has the opportunity to do this regularly.

Prevention of thrombosis

Briefly about the fact that cocoa and dark chocolate are involved in the prevention of blood clots, it was noted above, but I would like to highlight this point in more detail. Whether we like it or not, cholesterol is always present in our blood. The myth that it is in the blood only of those who eat animal food, and vegetarians do not have it, has long outlived its usefulness.Everyone has it, if cholesterol does not enter the bloodstream from food, the body synthesizes it itself. So, when cholesterol meets a free radical, it can react with it – oxidize. This oxidized or “bad” cholesterol is the material for building the so-called “plaques” on the walls of blood vessels. These plaques adhere to the walls of blood vessels and pose a serious threat to health and can destroy it.

The body seeks to correct the situation and sends a platelet to the place of plaque accumulation.Platelets cope with some plaques, and they simply adhere to some, which aggravates the situation. The consequence of this is the blockage of blood vessels and the formation of large blood clots. Blockage of blood vessels is fraught with heart attacks and strokes, and blood clots are attached to the wall until a certain time, but if they come off, this is certain death.

Antioxidants remove free radicals and neutralize them, and, as a result, prevent the oxidation of cholesterol in the blood. A number of studies have shown that drinking cocoa regularly for two to four weeks is enough for the results to be felt.So you can combine the useful with the pleasant – at the same time you can enjoy drinking a delicious drink and heal at the same time.

Dark chocolate can make a person happy, help him fall asleep, improve blood circulation and even libido. All of this is true or myths? This is what this article is about.

Who invented chocolate? For the first time chocolate appeared in Mexico and Central America. It began to be made from cocoa beans. In 1544, liquid chocolate was first brought to Europe.Later, chocolate became the most popular drinking treat in Europe.

Nowadays, chocolate is made from cocoa mass in the form of powder, cocoa butter, sugar and milk powder. In addition, during the production process, additional ingredients are added to it, for example, vanilla, soy lecithin, vegetable fats. Dark chocolate contains a high percentage of cocoa and less sugar.

Why is dark chocolate good for you?

Scientists have found that dark chocolate can actually help people suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome.In the course of research, it turned out that people who daily consumed 15 g of dark chocolate with a high cocoa content practically got rid of this syndrome.

It is a common myth that dark chocolate affects mood and helps to make a person happy. However, phenylethylamine, present in small amounts in chocolate, acts on neurotransmitters in the brain to release serotonin (the hormone of happiness). Unfortunately, the concentration of phenylethylamine in chocolate is very low.In addition, this fact has not been scientifically proven.

Even without neurotransmitters, chocolate is usually associated with positive emotions. Its sweet taste, pleasant melting on the tongue evokes good feelings.

Dark (bitter) chocolate is healthier than others, because it contains more cocoa and less sugar, and this is not a myth. Medical research has shown that chocolate with a cocoa content above 70% is able to dilate blood vessels and therefore improve blood circulation. In addition, doctors have found that dark chocolate has a rejuvenating effect, i.e.because it is an antioxidant. When chocolate is mixed with dairy products, the antioxidant effect is reduced to almost zero. Thus, high-cocoa-rich dark chocolate contains valuable antioxidants.

Dark chocolate is able to dilate the coronary arteries and improve blood circulation. But, is he able to protect the heart? Yes, chocolate reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Recent studies have shown that dark chocolate, when consumed regularly, improves the elasticity of blood vessels, normalizes blood pressure, and reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke by up to 40%.

Disadvantages of chocolate

The main disadvantage of chocolate is the presence of fat and sugar. However, dark chocolate is low in calories. Bottom Line: May Promote Weight Gain.

Research

Scientists from the University of California have shown that the consumption of dark chocolate can improve the function of blood vessels. They found a substance called epicatechin in chocolate, which dilates blood vessels.

Everyone knows that narrowing of blood vessels contributes to heart attacks, stroke and poor blood circulation.

British experts have concluded that flavonoids (a group of chemical compounds) with antioxidant properties have a positive effect on the cardiovascular system. Eleven people in the study ate 46 grams of dark chocolate daily. Another eleven people took low-flavonoid chocolate. Conclusion: in the first group of people, the extensibility improved by 1/10, in the second group it also decreased by 1/10. This conclusion is based on ultrasound examination of the brachial artery.

Chocolate consumption approx. 100 g

Chocolate contains a lot of nutrients that have a positive effect on the body. For example, magnesium, zinc, selenium, iron, theobromine, calcium, phenylethylamine, flavonoids, etc.

Dark chocolate contains many flavonoids that protect against aging. However, for people suffering from migraines, the consumption of chocolate should be limited. In addition, you should avoid eating large portions of chocolate.

For many years, researchers have been unable to find a direct link between the consumption of chocolate and the development of acne (). The latest research from 2013 concluded that chocolate does have an effect on acne. They found that chocolate interferes with the response of immune cells, which aggravates acne.

bitter chocolate

Good afternoon, dear readers! There is no doubt that the properties of dark chocolate, which we enjoy eating, are beneficial. But did you know that they depend on the percentage of ground cocoa beans in it – the main ingredient? The beans contain a huge set of biologically active substances, thanks to which chocolate gains a lot of advantages.

Having eaten chocolate, most of us get a charge of good mood and energy. This is not a placebo effect, it is beneficial properties that affect the body. As scientists point out, it stimulates the synthesis of the most famous “hormone of happiness”, that is, serotonin. What else is useful in chocolate? And why you should stop fighting the weakness for chocolate and eat it every day. To answer these questions, you need to get acquainted with its composition.

What substances chocolate inherits from cocoa beans.

The most important advantage of cocoa, and hence chocolate, is the content of powerful antidepressants theobromine and caffeine, which actively fight free radicals and participate in the normalization of metabolic processes.

The biologically active substances in cocoa beans promote the production of neurotransmitters in the body – brain hormones (dopamine, sorotonin, tryptophan) that affect energy and mood.

These substances quickly relieve a person of apathy and bad mood, they reduce the production of cortisol by the adrenal glands, on which the nervous tension of the body depends.After all, it is so pleasant, indulging yourself with a few pieces of this product, to live in peace and without worries.

It is curious that
…
Theobromine contains only 0.4%, but this amount is quite enough for the pieces of chocolate to have the ability to relieve fatigue and increase vitality. And 0.06 – 0.1% of caffeine can tone the body. Therefore, in the 19th century, hot chocolate was sold in pharmacies, as a means of giving vigor and strength.

This sweet product helps to normalize blood pressure and cleanse the blood.Helps reduce the level of C-reactive protein, which signals the onset of the inflammatory process.

Collecting cocoa beans

An amazing discovery was made by Canadian scientists, they said that biologically active substances prevent the formation of tartar deposits.

Chemicals found in chocolate

Surprisingly, after eating a bar of chocolate, you will replenish your body with 300 useful substances. And this is really so, the chemical composition of beans is diverse:

• fats (54%), proteins 11.5%) and cellulose (9%),
• polysaccharides and starch (7.5%), tannin (6%),
• minerals and salts (2.5%), water (5%),
• saccharides (1%) and caffeine (0.2%),
• organic acids (2%).

In addition, they contain arginine, are rich in anandamide, histamine and epicatechin, cocohil and dopamine, tryptophan and serotonin, polyphenol and tyramine, phenylethylamine and salsolinol.

A the table shows the vitamins contained in this sweet product:

Protects against diseases of the heart and blood vessels

One of the amazing properties of this sweet product is that it has a beneficial effect on the work of the heart and blood vessels.Chocolate can solve circulatory problems. According to the research results, it was found out that the use of chocolate containing more than 60% cocoa in its composition has a positive effect in the treatment of heart diseases, as an additional therapy. It is especially important to take this feature into account for people with a high risk of cardio and vascular diseases:

first,

traced benefits for men: 63 g per week, with constant use, reduces the risk of stroke in men by 17%, in the next 10 years of life, Karolinska Institutet in Sweden confirmed by his research;

second

, reduces the likelihood of heart disease by 37%.The benefits of chocolate are laid down not only for men, but also for women. If you eat 30 g of dark chocolate per day, the risk of heart disease in men is reduced by a quarter, and in women – by a third.

third,

consumed regularly, prevents blockage of blood vessels, which means heart attack and stroke (University of California study).

fourth

, lowers blood pressure. For this, it is recommended to take one bite daily (research by Messerliego from Columbia University).

But not all chocolate has a positive effect, but only with a high cocoa content – not less than 70%. The cardio protective properties of chocolate are due to its high content of flavonoids and antioxidants, mainly proanthocyanidin.

This substance acts primarily on the vascular endothelium, and also prevents inflammation and vascular occlusion leading to atherosclerosis. Flavonoids reduce the concentration of bad cholesterol in the blood, slightly lower blood pressure and maintain the normal synthesis of estrogen hormone.

Chocolate calories

Stimulates brain cells to work

In a situation where you have to maintain full concentration, instead of smoking a cigarette or biting the remnants of nails, relax and eat chocolate. Due to the fact that it has a positive effect on blood circulation, this leads to a short-term improvement in mental abilities. The effect is this: concentration and memory improves.

Chocolate is a legal and healthy drug that improves brain function.The brain receives a positive effect not only for a short time, since it is known that regular consumption of chocolate reduces the risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, and accordingly protects the body from premature aging.

Chocolate is classified as a superfood

He received this definition due to the high content of antioxidants. What are superfoods … This is confirmed by a publication in the Chemistry Central Journal, which states that chocolate contains more polyphenols and flavonols than some fruits.

The authors remind that the mass media often create a list of the most useful “super-foods”, it is based on the antioxidant properties of foods, fruits, vegetables. Therefore, it was decided to compare the popular superfoods with cocoa and chocolate. Chocolate and cocoa are rich in composition and nutritional value.
Watch a video about the beneficial properties of dark chocolate, says nutritionist Lydia Ionova:

Chocolate protects against sunburn

Cocoa beans are widely used in cosmetology, thanks to them, the skin acquires shine and better copes with the harmful effects of sunlight.This is proven by one of the German studies (Universit? T Witten-Herdecke), where two groups of women took chocolate with high and low cocoa content for 12 weeks.

Where the cocoa content was low, no change was noted on the skin. And among women who ate chocolate with a high cocoa content, scientists recorded an average of 25% less erythema after a tanning session. According to experts, the high content of flavonols in cocoa affects the density and thickness of skin cells, as well as improves hydration (hydration) and inhibits the loss of water from the skin.

Chocolate acts as a probiotic

Unlike probiotics, chocolate does not contain microorganisms, but it contains substances that have a beneficial effect on the intestines. We are talking about polyphenols that act on microorganisms that inhabit the intestines. Scientists from Reading in the UK suggest that regular consumption of chocolate is causing the beneficial bacteria strains of the genus Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus to increase. Chocolate eliminates the dangerous Clostridium bacteria, their number after 4 weeks of research was significantly reduced.

Why is chocolate useful for women?

Although they say that sweets are high in calories and add extra pounds, we can say about chocolate that it is useful if you eat a little of it.

What are the benefits for women

25 – 30 g of sweet dessert can help to cope with premenstrual syndrome, reduce neurosis and depression, smooth out pain. The calcium content in this product, too, will not be superfluous for a woman, because brittle bones and the associated osteoporosis disease are familiar to many.

And the antioxidants contained in a piece of chocolate will help preserve youth and beauty longer.

It is curious that ..
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Some people we know from classical literature considered dark chocolate to be an effective Afrosiac for women. So, the mistress of King Louis XV, Madame de Pompadour, loved to eat chocolate, she used it as a treatment for sexual dysfunction.

Although there is no scientific evidence on this score anywhere, as well as denials of this amazing property.

Chocolate reduces appetite

If you do not want your love for sweet tiles to cause excess weight, choose dark chocolate. Among its many benefits, it has one more – it slows down digestion and suppresses appetite. Hunger, as scientists from Copenhagen have proved, reaches our brain after eating chocolate with a delay. And as a result of the next meal, 17% less calories are eaten. All you have to do is break the rules and eat chocolate before dinner.

Chocolate has a beneficial effect on the placenta in pregnant women

If you are pregnant or planning to have a baby, then include chocolate in your diet. Required. This is not only a dose of vitamins, especially important during conception (magnesium and iron, vitamins A and E and group B), its use improves the function of the placenta. Especially positive is its effect on the growth and development of the fetus, and a decrease in the risk of dangerous complications of hypertension during pregnancy. There is one more condition.Chocolate should contain as many flavonol bonds as possible, in other words, as much cocoa as possible.

Is chocolate necessary for men?

When people talk about the benefits of chocolate for men, opinions differ. Some tend to question its properties. But science proves the opposite, statistics show that there are much more men suffering from cardiovascular diseases than women. And the consumption of chocolate protects people from the risk of this disease.

What are the benefits for men

The sweet dessert is also useful for men involved in sports. Who will be damaged by the additional portion of energy, vigor and mood? Just a few cloves will help raise your glucose levels and ward off oxidative stress during exercise. That will certainly affect performance, endurance, speed, and after training, recovery will be quick and easy.

This is important:

Nutritionists give this advice.For those looking to build muscle, eat chocolate before going to the gym. And who wants to lose weight, you will have to feast on after training.

Use of beneficial properties in cosmetology

All women are so arranged that all that is good for the body and for health is applied by the ladies to their skin. The same thing happened with chocolate, it gained fame and popularity and became a salon procedure that:

• improves the metabolism in the skin, makes the skin soft, soft, velvety,
• eliminate cellulite, promote the absorption of subcutaneous fat deposits,
• cleanses the skin from acne, lightens age spots,
• helps to smooth fine wrinkles and rejuvenate the skin.

Treatments with chocolate are a real pleasure, masks and peels, wrapping and massage – everything is aimed at healing the skin, improving its condition.

application in cosmetology

Does chocolate have contraindications? Questions and answers.

I often hear a phrase that can probably turn into a catch phrase “What is tasty, it cannot be useful.” There are many different opinions about chocolate too. I specially made a selection for you in questions and answers.Good or bad …

Is it true that dark chocolate is bad for your teeth?

Dentists say that it is not chocolate that is harmful, but the sugar it contains. But the more cocoa content in chocolate, and the more bitterness is present in it, the less sugar it contains. And the presence of oil in the product (cocoa butter) protects the tooth enamel from the harmful effects of acid. For more confidence and protection of teeth, you can simply rinse your mouth with water after eating a piece.

Can I eat chocolate in the evening

Chocolate is made from cocoa beans, which contain caffeine, but its content in a chocolate bar is low, only about 30 mg.To understand a lot or a little, let me give you an example that a cup of coffee contains 180 mg of caffeine. Now it will immediately become clear to you that the eaten clove or two of chocolate cannot affect sleep.

Is it true that chocolate contributes to the deposition of cholesterol?

Nutritionists recommend eating 30-50 mg of chocolate a day and 2-3 times a week. With this use, there will be absolutely no harm, but only benefit. Buy a product with a high cocoa content of 78% or more. And then neither the figure, nor the teeth, nor the internal organs will suffer.A measure is needed in everything. Even the most healthy foods, eaten in large quantities, can cause poisoning.

We can say that chocolate has a positive effect on our health from toes to head. Improves blood circulation, bowel function, reduces the risk of many diseases, improves brain function and prevents dementia, slows down early aging of a person. Is it not in your daily diet yet? It’s time to change that.

I wish you health and longevity!

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The popularity of chocolate is so great that discussion of its properties does not stop for a minute in the entire history of its existence. Opinions about this delicacy are polar in nature – some consider chocolate to be almost a miracle cure for all diseases, others, on the contrary, do not get tired of talking about its harm to our body.Where is the truth and which camp is worth joining?

Neither statement can be considered a true judgment about chocolate. If you absorb chocolate without knowing the measure, your health will not improve from this, and the question of where to put those extra pounds will become very acute. Some types of chocolate are really good only as a sweetness for tea, but otherwise they are of little use. But if you consume chocolate in dosage and give preference to varieties with a high content of cocoa beans, then the benefits of it are undeniable – and this is a scientifically proven fact.

Is chocolate good for the heart?

Scientists say with confidence that chocolate is good for the heart. How does chocolate affect the work of such an important organ? Immediately it is necessary to make a reservation that only the use of dark chocolate, otherwise called bitter, will bring benefits. After all, it is the polyphenols, which are found in large quantities in cocoa beans, that have a beneficial effect on the work of the cardiovascular system. Therefore, to the question: “Is chocolate good for the heart, regardless of its type? “- the unequivocal answer is no.

The positive effects of dark chocolate on the cardiovascular system

Chocolate, of course, is not a medicine for hearts. And he cannot restore the normal functioning of a diseased heart. But it is quite possible to prevent some problems by consuming dark chocolate.

• Chocolate affects the blood flow, thus lightening the burden on the heart.
• Reduces blood pressure, and hypertensive patients are known to suffer from cardiovascular diseases more often than anyone else.
• Influences blood cholesterol levels, helping to reduce it. This means it keeps the blood vessels healthy for as long as possible.
• Swedish scientists conducted a study during which the following evidence was obtained – moderate consumption of dark chocolate reduces the risk of death among patients with heart disease.
• Italian scientists recently found that the inclusion of small portions of dark chocolate in the core diet significantly slowed down the hardening of the artery walls, which is believed to be the root cause of heart attack.

Why chocolate affects our body in this way, scientists cannot explain for sure. Its benefits are believed to be due to the presence of high levels of flavonoids, antioxidants, and polyphenols. Doctors recommend dark chocolate as a preventive measure to prevent the development of heart disease.

However, scientists emphasize that when describing the beneficial qualities of chocolate for cores, they rely on the results of studies on the properties of cocoa without added sugar or other impurities.Therefore, not all chocolate is good for the heart. All kinds of chocolate desserts and sweets, which we are used to thinking of as chocolate, contain a lot of foreign impurities and additives, which deprives them of the right to be ranked as healthy products for the heart. For your health, indulge in only high quality dark chocolate, high in cocoa and low in sugar.

90,000 9 reasons to eat dark chocolate every day – Dakris

9 reasons to eat dark chocolate every day

However, dark chocolate with a high cocoa content can be safely removed from the junk list.

It is part of a healthy diet. Not only has a beneficial effect on the heart and brain, but also helps the expectant mother to make her baby happier even in the womb.
Dakris has compiled nine reasons why this goodies should be in your diet.

1
Dark chocolate makes us happy
Not only because it is delicious – it certainly helps. But because it contains tryptophan. It is an amino acid. The brain uses it to make serotonin, a neurotransmission that makes us happy.
2
Dark chocolate with a high cocoa content has a lot of soluble fiber
A 100-gram bar, which contains 70-85% chocolate, contains 11 grams of fiber. Soluble fiber helps keep our cholesterol levels low. Thanks to them, we feel full longer. They are also good for digestion.
3
Eating this goodies can have a good effect on our brains 90 125
All right, savoring dark chocolate can keep the brain sharp and help prevent dementia.A forty-year study found that people who ate it frequently performed better on intelligence tests.
4
This kind of chocolate is good for our heart too
One study found that eating chocolate five or more times a week reduced the risk of heart disease by 57%.
5
Dark chocolate makes babies-to-be happier
And who doesn’t want a happy child? The Finnish pre-lien was happy that moms who ate more chocolate during pregnancy had happier and less moody babies.
6
It contains the flavonoids we all need
Flavonoids are plant-based antioxidants. They are in cocoa. This is one of the main reasons why dark chocolate is so healthy. These antioxidants can lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and keep our blood vessels healthy.
7
Dark chocolate is good for our skin too
Its consumption can protect against sunburn thanks to two antioxidants found in dark chocolate – phenolam and catechins.
8
Dark chocolate – natural sedative
It can lower stress hormone levels. It is because of them that we passionately desire what when emotions are at the limit.
9
Dark chocolate is not very suitable for small children
They won’t want us to share it. More for us!

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