The Surprising Health Benefits of Chocolate

Experts Revealed the Health Benefits of Chocolate. You Won't Believe It When You Read It

Chocolate, a beloved treat enjoyed by people of all ages, has been found to offer surprising health benefits. Certain substances found in chocolate can reduce the risk of heart attacks, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Here are the details...

Marlene Cimons, a Washington Post columnist, uncovered many benefits of chocolate by consulting experts. However, the type of chocolate you prefer to consume affects this situation. The chemical composition of the chocolate we choose can shed light on how beneficial a food it is.

Flavonoids Protect the Body Against Cancer and Heart Attack Risks

One of the important factors for us to make this assessment is the amount of flavonoids, a substance from the chemical group known as polyphenols, abundant in extra dark bitter chocolates.

Flavonoids found in many foods derived from plants such as fruits, vegetables, tea, and coffee are important for our body because they are filled with antioxidants that protect cells against risks like cancer and heart attacks.

Studies have shown that flavonoids reduce the risk of heart attacks, high blood pressure, and diabetes while also improving our mood and reducing depression symptoms. Flavonoids, which have a positive effect on cognitive abilities, are also effective in combating cognitive problems caused by sleep deprivation.

Cocoa and Chocolate Are Not the Same Thing

Davide Grassi, an associate professor of internal medicine at the University of L'Aquila in Sant'Omero, Italy, who has conducted numerous researches on the health effects of cocoa, said that cocoa is not exactly the same as the chocolate we eat in our daily lives.

Grassi stated that flavonoids are beneficial for both our blood vessels and overall health and reduce not only heart problems but also other chronic health risks. However, it is crucial to distinguish natural cocoa from rainforest cocoa from processed chocolate.

Bitter Chocolate Can Be Part of a Healthy Diet

Experts say that we cannot achieve the same benefits when excessive consumption of the wrong types of chocolate occurs. On the contrary, excessive consumption of sugary and overly processed milk or white chocolates, which are the favorite choices of most people and come in red heart-shaped packages we all know, can lead to many problems such as short-term heartburn and long-term weight gain.

According to Uma Naidoo, a nutritional psychiatrist, biologist, and professional chef, the type of chocolate we prefer to consume is of great importance. Naidoo says that bitter chocolate can be part of a healthy diet if not overdone.

Extra Dark Bitter Chocolate Is Considered the Healthiest Form of Chocolate to Consume

According to experts, bitter chocolate generally contains a high amount of cocoa, relatively less sugar, and more flavonoids. Extra dark bitter chocolate is considered the healthiest form of chocolate to consume. This type of chocolate usually contains much less sugar and no milk or additional fats compared to other types. Nutrition professor Eric Rimm stated, "The darker, the better. Milk chocolate has less black chocolate. White chocolate isn't even chocolate."

How Should Bitter Chocolate Be Consumed?

According to Cimons, it is necessary to choose bitter chocolate marketed with a label indicating a minimum of 70% cocoa content. According to some experts, darker chocolate is much better because it means less sugar. Zumpano said, "If you've eaten a chocolate with 85% cocoa content, that's the natural stopping point. Most people struggle to finish a tablet of chocolate of this density."

Don't Forget to Enjoy the Taste of Chocolate

According to experts, while chocolate may not be classified in the same category as fruits and vegetables in terms of being considered a "healthy food," we should not deprive ourselves of it. Manson said, "We should not demotivate ourselves from consuming chocolate, a product that gives happiness and joy to everyone."

Rimm agreed, saying, "Whether it's triggering beautiful memories or reminding us of loved ones, treating such a pleasurable product as a pure medicine would be a shame. Although extensive research needs to be conducted on chocolate, the research conducted is intriguing