5 Incredible Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate (Number 3 will shock you)
The purest form of chocolate is raw cacao, better known as “Food of the Gods” by the ancient Aztecs. Cacao is bursting with nutrients making it one of nature’s most perfect superfoods. At Nutriseed our all-organic Raw Cacao Powder is entirely untreated which means it maintains all its nutrients and full chocolatey flavour.
Playing host to a blend of antioxidants, flavonoids, nutrients and minerals, Raw Cacao Powder is exceptionally nourishing and provides a healthy alternative to other more processed Cocoa Powders.
Here are the 5 incredible benefits of dark chocolate:
- Keeps Your Heart Healthy
Chocolate comes from the cocoa tree which is rich in flavonoids. It’s a kind of pigment that helps protect plants from harmful toxins and repair damage. Flavonoids in dark chocolate help protect our cardiovascular system which may reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke or blood clots.
- Lowers Cholesterol Levels
When you have high levels of LDL in your blood, it can cause a buildup in your arteries. Antioxidants in dark chocolate, simply put, may avoid or delay certain types of cell damage in our bodies that can cause LDL or Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, otherwise known as 'bad' cholesterol.
- Helps you manage your weight
Regular consumption of dark chocolate, in moderation, can help you manage your weight. It’s known that chocolate releases “happy hormones” when we consume it. All of this is pure chemistry but put in simple terms: a happy person does not need to turn to food for comfort.
- Gives you Energy
Chocolates have anti-inflammatory components and tons of magnesium which can help with pain management. Since you’re already happy from all the endorphins, phenylethylamine, serotonin and anandamide, you’re more likely to get up and get going. Go for a brisk walk around the block or, better yet, the gym. Exercise not only makes you happy (because you feel so accomplished after), it keeps you fit as well!
- Helps regulate your body clock
Consuming tons of dark chocolate before hitting the sack may be counter-productive but regular consumption of dark chocolate can help regulate your sleep pattern and internal body clock. We have mentioned that chocolate is high in magnesium. Recent studies have proven that magnesium can help our bodies find a good rhythm for sleeping at night and moving about in the day.
There are a lot of other good things that can be said about dark chocolate and its positive effects on our bodies with regular intake. Keep in mind that the quality of the chocolate you consume is important. As mentioned in this article: the purer, the better. Moderation is key. A good ballpark figure would be thirty (30) to sixty (60) grams a day or one (1) to two (2) ounces a day.
To sample Nutriseed's cacao-based products, click here
Don’t resist the urge to grab your favourite dark chocolate treat! Indulge in a little goodness and your body will be better for it.
