Benefits of Chocolate on Health - People
have high cravings for chocolate. You would hardly find any people who
do not love eating chocolates. It is these cravings that have kept the
chocolate industry in profits. Chocolates in various forms are
available. They are available in different sizes, shapes and in
different kinds of packages. Chocolate machinery has a great role in making these substances look good and intact.
Chocolates are not good for health-everyone knows it but a very few people know that it has some health benefits as well. Here are they:
Dark chocolates contain disease fighting flavenoids in large amounts and antioxidants, which are even found in red wine as well as many vegetables and fruits. In fact, they have more flavenoids than other food products.
There is a reason why we crave for certain foods at certain time. Chocolate is one of them. It is especially beneficial when consumed during pregnancy. It releases some calming endorphins, which reduce the level of anxiety. Plus it is high in magnesium that lifts the mood and reduces the water retention. However, overindulging in salt, sugar as well as caffeine may backfire, causing fluid retention and bloating.
A study found out that if you consume cocoa flavanol containing dark chocolate every day, you can lower your cholesterol level and improve your blood pressure. So, if you have denied chocolate till now thinking that it will raise your cholesterol level, your sacrifices have gone in vain. It's true that chocolate is full of fat and these fats actually come from stearic acid and that's why chocolate isn't raising cholesterol level. For some people it is even lowering the LDL level.
A study reports there is a chemical known as theobromine found in chocolates that reduces one of the major complications of pregnancy-preeclampsia. At this time, eating darker chocolates is better. Preeclampsia is basically noted for raising the blood pressure of a pregnant woman. Eating chocolates at this time helps lowering this risk.
A recent study has also shown that people who consume seventy percent dark chocolate regularly show a marked improvement in the blood flow. However, no improvement is seen in those people who consume processed chocolates. The processed one contain very little amount of cocoa paste. It seems that positive effect of a dark chocolate is actually linked to a property in the polyphenols, which releases nitric oxide that increases the arterial dilatation simultaneously improving the blood flow as well as reducing the platelet aggregation.
But it is important to note here that some earlier studies have shown milk prevents absorbtion of polyphenols in the dark chocolates, thus neutralizing its positive effects. It is thus always suggested not to have dark chocolate with milk.
Researchers have found out that some compounds in chocolate act as a UV filter. So, it can reduce sunburn level. Chocolates even have a low glycemic index meaning that diabetic patients do not need to avoid them in their diets. Some of the studies have even shown that dark chocolates increases insulin's effects in patients with high as well as normal BP. But it is always recommended to consult with a diabetician before introducing chocolates to a diabetic patient.
Source: ArticlesBase.com, Thanks to Sreya
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