Chocolate is mostly viewed as a part of a poor diet that results in health issues like diabetes and obesity. The right kinds of chocolate in moderation -- or no more than 3 ounces a day -- can actually be healthy for your body. This is especially true when you combine dark chocolates with other healthy foods like yogurt, which also can have a positive effect on your overall health.
Flavanols
Dark chocolate's health benefits come from the natural flavanols found in cocoa. Flavanols have an antioxidant effect, as might help improve your cardiovascular health. Antioxidants are substances that help protect your cells from the damage caused by free radicals in your body. Free radical damage is associated with effects like aging. Potential cardiovascular benefits of the flavanols in dark chocolate include improved cholesterol levels, better clotting, improved blood flow to the heart and brain, and lower blood pressure. For full benefits, choose chocolate with a cocoa content of at least 65 percent or higher, suggests MayoClinic.com.
Protein
When you combine dark chocolate with yogurt, you benefit from the protein content of yogurt. While protein can be found in many animal-based foods, yogurt typically has a lower cholesterol leve. It often comes with fewer calories per serving than other protein products. Protein is essential in your body for everything from healing and building muscle tissue, to the creation of enzymes and hormones. Increase your protein per serving even more by choosing Greek yogurt over regular.
Lactobacteria
Yogurt also provides lactobacteria, which are beneficial probiotic bacteria. Lactobacteria, like acidophilus, help your digestive system by encouraging the growth of health bacterial in places like your colon. Healthy bacteria help prevent the conversion of bile into bile acids, which can be carcinogenic, or cancer-causing. As you increase the level of good bacteria in your digestive system, you decrease your risks for disease, suggests Dr. William Sears, M.D.
Vitamins and Minerals
Both yogurt and dark chocolate provide a range of vitamins and mineral essential for your body. These include vitamins A, C, E, B-1, B-2, B-3, B-6, B-12, pantothenic acid, magnesium, iron, calcium, copper, zinc, manganese, potassium phosphorus and iodine.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Craving Chocolate? Go Dark.
- The Cleveland Clinic: Heart-Health Benefits of Chocolate Unveiled
- Fitness Magazine: 10 Surprising Health Benefits of Yogurt
- Ask Dr. Sears: 10 Reasons Yogurt is a Top Health Food
- Medline Plus: Antioxidants
- McKinley Health Center: Macronutrients: the Importance of Carbohydrate, Protein, and Fat
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