Dark chocolate, a food originated from plant, is basically obtained from cocoa beans. It is a food consumed frequently and widely throughout the world. These beans are a rich source of fats (50-57%), often called cocoa butter. This butter besides being rich in saturated fats, namely oleic acid and palmitic acid, is also loaded with phytochemicals, especially flavonoids which are gaining a lot of attention in the health sector. These antioxidants are a blessing of nature to us.

1. Beneficial effects on blood pressure

Dark chocolate is a proven remedy for a reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

2. Cholesterol-lowering effect

A lot of research has proved that ingestion of this dark chocolate lowers the so-called “bad cholesterol” in our body and raises the levels of “good cholesterol”. It has cardioprotective qualities.

3. Antioxidant-rich

Dark chocolate is a better matrix to deliver flavonols to the body than cocoa beverages. Moreover, its antioxidant capacity is higher than red wine, green tea and black tea.

4. Skin friendly

Dark chocolate is a skin friendly ingredient that keeps our skin healthy, glowing and flawless. The antioxidants in this help to fight with free radicals, keeping the skin soft and juvenile for long. Its acts as a shield against UV rays of sun preventing skin cancers and skin burn.

5. Effect on insulin levels

This health food is a boon for persons with insulin resistance in the body as it increases the beta cell function of pancreas to secrete more insulin and also increases insulin sensitivity.

6. Tooth health

Chocolate is investigated since long time to cause dental caries, but these are due to sugar not the cocoa. On the contrary they are the inhibitors of plague forming substances. It contains theobromine that hardens tooth enamel.

7. Mood booster

Dark chocolate stimulates the production of endorphins in the brain that alleviate the mood and make us feel better.

The final word-

Dark chocolate is naturally rich in flavonoids. These compounds are thought to exhibit different therapeutic activities. The major benefit of dark chocolate is in cardiovascular related disorders. The various other benefits of dark chocolate includes, alleviation of hypertension, regulation of blood sugar, antioxidant protection etc.