Cocoa beans used to make chocolate contain cocoa solids -- the proteins and other nutrients that make up cocoa powder -- as well as cocoa butter, which contains fatty acids and other nutrients. The relative mix of cocoa solids and cocoa butter determines the type of chocolate created, with white chocolate made solely from cocoa butter, milk chocolate containing a mix of the two, and dark chocolate containing a high percentage of cocoa solids. Consuming dark chocolate in moderation -- up to seven 1-oz.servings per week -- can have a number of health benefits.
Antioxidant Content
One positive effect of consuming dark chocolate is its antioxidant content. Antioxidants act as protective chemicals for your cells, preventing oxidative damage. When exposed to cells, free radicals can interact with DNA, proteins and cellular membranes, leading to defects in your cells that increase your risk of diseases such as cancer. By neutralizing free radicals, antioxidants, such as those found in dark chocolate, prevent this cellular damage. The antioxidants in dark chocolate are called polyphenols, similar to the beneficial chemicals found in red wine and tea. Consuming a diet rich in polyphenols, such as one that includes dark chocolate, provides your body with the chemicals needed to help fight cellular damage and disease.
Blood Cholesterol Regulation
Dark chocolate may also help control the levels of low-density lipoprotein -- the LDL, or "bad" cholesterol -- within your bloodstream. This chocolate contains a number of fatty acids, including two beneficial fats: stearic acid and oleic acid. These fats do not raise blood cholesterol levels like unhealthy saturated facts. Instead, consuming oleic acid may help decrease the levels of LDL cholesterol within your blood. Since high cholesterol can increase your risk of heart disease and stroke, consuming healthy fats like those in dark chocolate may prove beneficial for the health of your heart and vascular system.
Endorphin Production
Eating chocolate in moderation may also help improve your mood. Your brain contains a number of chemicals, called endorphins, which aid in mood regulation. Defects in the signaling of some endorphins, such as serotonin, can lead to a decreased mood or depression. Increasing the levels of serotonin within the brain can help restore proper mood regulation, helping to fight mental disorders such as depression. Citrus College indicates that dark chocolate can promote serotonin production within the brain. While chocolate alone may not replace depression medication, consuming the food in moderation, along with other lifestyle factors, such as exercise, may complement antidepressant medication for effective depression treatment.
Member Comments