Dark chocolate would be (among other benefits) good for the heart, memory, for concentration… and would improve athletic abilities.
CHOCOLATE PROTECTS THE HEART AND ARTERIES
How about pampering your thriller by nibbling on a few squares of dark chocolate? Thanks to the flavonoids it contains, chocolate lowers the risk of coronary heart disease and strokes.
These antioxidants indeed help maintain the flexibility of the arteries and limit the risk of atherosclerosis.
IT REDUCES HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
Flavonoids such as catechin and epicatechin stimulate the production of nitric acid by our body. Result: our blood vessels dilate, effectively lowering blood pressure. A good excuse for all hypertensives?
CHOCOLATE IMPROVES CONCENTRATION
If your chocolate contains at least 60% cocoa, here is a new excuse to snack on it at work: it improves concentration and alertness. In the question: its theanine content, an amino acid known for its positive role in relaxation and attention.
AN ANTI-DEPRESSION WEAPON
A wave in the soul overwhelms you? Count on chocolate. Because theobromine and magnesium, substances present in large quantities in dark chocolate, stimulate and regulate the nervous system. In this way, they increase the effects of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, known for their role in stress, anxiety, and depression.
CHOCOLATE BOOSTS MEMORY
Flavonols increase blood flow to the hippocampus, the part of the brain associated with memory abilities. Eating dark chocolate rich in these antioxidants would therefore help maintain our memory.
IT IMPROVES THE QUALITY OF SLEEP
Troubled sleep is sometimes linked to magnesium deficiency. Since dark chocolate contains interesting quantities (84 grams per 100 grams of dark chocolate with 40% cocoa), consuming it makes up for this lack and therefore rebalances the sleep/wake rhythm.
But be careful not to consume it in the evening! Because dark chocolate also contains caffeine and theobromine, two stimulants that promise you restless nights if you are prone to insomnia.
THE ALLY OF PREGNANT WOMEN
Finally, a food that is not prohibited during pregnancy! Chocolate would even be recommended to pregnant women because, by facilitating blood circulation, it would improve the functioning of the placenta and also the growth and development of the fetus. And since it lowers high blood pressure, it lowers the risk of pre-eclampsia.
DARK CHOCOLATE HELPS TO LOSE WEIGHT
The icing on the (chocolate) cake: this delicacy would not make you fat, and could even contribute to weight loss, provided that it is indeed dark chocolate. Although it is high in calories, dark chocolate does contain a high level of catechins, an antioxidant that promotes weight loss and muscle refining. Provided of course not to fall into excess to respect a reasonable daily calorie intake.
CHOCOLATE HELPS FIGHT WRINKLES
Don’t wait any longer to put dark chocolate on your list of anti-aging foods. The antioxidants it contains, such as catechin, help keep the body energized. White or milk chocolate is not among these children’s foods, because their cocoa content, and therefore antioxidants, is much lower than that of dark chocolate.
IT IMPROVES SPORTS ABILITIES
Eating 40 grams of dark chocolate a day would boost the performance of athletes. In the question: not the calories it provides, but a very particular flavonoid, epicatechin, which dilates blood vessels and reduces oxygen consumption. The message is clear: sportsmen and women, get your chocolate bars!
