Dark chocolate, which is slightly less sweet than milk chocolate, goes through less processing than milk chocolate and has no added milk. Dark chocolate contains antioxidants, which may protect cells and body chemicals against free radicals that damage tissue throughout the body. The antioxidants in dark chocolate may protect against high cholesterol, high blood pressure and heart disease.
Factors
Although chocolate may cause heartburn for some people, dark chocolate poses less of a risk than milk chocolate. However, dark chocolate, similar to milk chocolate, contains some caffeine. Other ingredients include cacao beans, a source of cocoa, and chocolate. Dark chocolate also contains sugar, soy lecithin as a preservative and some flavorings. Try to avoid additives in dark chocolate, such as caramel, marshmallow and other ingredients that may taste better but add fats and sugar to take away benefits.
Antioxidants
Dark chocolate contains antioxidants from a group called polyphenols. The antioxidant resveratrol boosts the immune system and provides mental health benefits by increasing levels of endorphins and serotonin in the brain, Psych Central notes. Endorphins and serotonin work as natural antidepressants by improving moods. Increases of serotonin also aid the digestive system. The flavonoids, also part of the polyphenol group, in dark chocolate play a role in lowering cholesterol and improving blood flow to the heart and brain, the Cleveland Clinic explains. Because dark chocolate undergoes less processing than milk chocolate, it retains more flavonoids during manufacturing.
Blood Flow
An ounce of dark chocolate a day may increase blood flow, lower blood pressure, reduce the chance of blood clots and lower low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, cholesterol levels, Psych Central says. LDL cholesterol builds up on the inner walls of the arteries to interfere with blood flow to the heart and lead to heart disease.
Cholesterol Effects
Although dark chocolate still contains forms of saturated fat that can increase LDL cholesterol, it also has stearic acid, which may neutralize the effects of cholesterol. Dark chocolate also contains oleic acid, a type of monounsaturated fat that provides the heart with protection. Monounsaturated fats may lower LDL cholesterol and raise levels of protective high-density lipoprotein, or HDL, which helps flush excess cholesterol out of the bloodstream.
Stress Reduction
German and Swiss researchers found that eating 1.5 oz of dark chocolate a day for two weeks lowered stress hormones in people who were highly stressed. The 30 subjects in the study snacked on 20 g of dark chocolate in the morning and again in the afternoon, according to the October 7, 2009, issue of the "Journal of Proteome Research," a publication of the American Chemistry Society.
Member Comments