20 powerful reasons to consume chocolate

Lately, people are talking a lot of chocolate, a food that is usually prohibited to them who wanted to lose weight, but also today is recommended to those who want to slim but it is recommended to combat various diseases.

Eating chocolate in moderation can bring great benefits to health.

Combats free radicals

The chocolate is full of antioxidants. Antioxidants protect cells from damage caused by free radicals that are responsible for causing disease. Also contains vitamins and minerals.

Helps weight loss

A study conducted at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, found that when black chocolate eat your you full longer, so your cravings for other fatty, salty or sweet foods, being rich in fiber, chocolate reduces collaborates with satiety.

Protects the cardiovascular system

A study by the University of California discovered that participants who ate black chocolate, on a regular basis, showed a reduction in platelet activity. The black chocolate has an anticoagulant effect that can be compared to aspirin.

Has anti-aging effects

The black chocolate is one of the top 10 best foods for youth. Cocoa would indeed be one of the most flavonoid-rich foods, and particularly catechins, known for its antioxidant which protects cells from the body by natural deterioration over the years.

Regulates blood pressure

In a Dutch study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine (2006) it was observed that individuals who drank more black chocolate showed better blood pressures. The scientists said that the high content of flavonoids – powerful antioxidants – favor their hypotensive effect.

Protects against cancer

The Agricultural Research Service (ARS, in the acronym) published research that concluded that pure natural cocoa contains many procyanidins, plus flavonoids that have been shown to act as protector against cancer.

Reduce stress

Katri Raikkonem, University of Helsinki, Finland, has published a paper in the journal Early Human Development, which compared the stress levels of pregnant women who eat chocolate.

The results confirm pleasurable effects on brain regions causing phenylethylamine, a component of chocolate. It also contains magnesium, a mineral known for its relaxing effects.

You can relieve cough

A component of chocolate, theobromine, reduces the activity of the vagus nerve, the part of the brain that triggers coughing.

Lifts the spirits

Satisfy a craving now and then you feel great and if chocolate, the better, since people tend to feel less stressed. The reason is that it is rich in tyramine and phenylethylamine, two substances similar to amphetamines that act on the brain to produce pleasure.

Protects teeth from caries

The black chocolate, unlike most other sweets, reduces the risk of caries, because theobromine containing a component that promotes the healing of tooth enamel.

Lowers cholesterol

Dark chocolate is also being considered as a super food that lowers cholesterol. Cocoa butter is what makes the difference, Cocoa butter contains oleic acid, a monounsaturated fat – the same fat found in olive oil.

Improves eyesight

Researchers at the University of Reading in England proved the hearing on 30 healthy adults 18-25 years of age, after they ate dark chocolate and obtained excellent results in tests of sight after eating dark chocolate.

It could be the action of flavonoids that improve cerebral blood flow, improve blood flow to the retina as well.

Stimulates memory

According to a British study, this increased blood flow to the brain makes us feel more awake and alert and increased memory capacity.

Relieves symptoms of menstruation

The theobromine and phenylethylamine contained in chocolate help balance female hormones before and during menstruation, another reason to indulge in chocolate in those days!

Reduces the risk of cerebrovascular accident

According to a study in Sweden between more than two thousand women, consuming 45g of chocolate per week reduced by 20% the risk of suffering a cerobrovascular accident.

It could fight diabetes

The black chocolate and cocoa have a type of antioxidant called flavonol, which helps maintain good performance in cells to control the level of blood sugar.

It is still under study, but according to an Italian study, those who consumed chocolate regularly increase insulin sensitivity thereby reducing the risk of diabetes.

Protects against migraine

Some studies show that can inhibit brain inflammation that causes migraines because of micronutrients such as theobromine.

Increases energy

Natural stimulants in chocolate produce a boost both your physical energy as brain, mainly thanks to caffeine and theobromine in it.

Protects skin from sun

Flavonoids which holds chocolate, protect the skin from damage from the sun’s UV rays (although that does not mean you can replace sunscreen for a chocolate bar).

Improves blood circulation

Having anticoagulant properties, cocoa works similarly to the way aspirin, improving circulation.

To take into account

• You should avoid chocolate milk, and contain as much fat does not have the same benefits as the black chocolate, so it does not help your health the same way. Opt for black chocolate, which is really beneficial for your health.

• It is only recommended to eat a moderate daily serving of chocolate to those who have a healthy weight and physical activity practice. Sedentary people with diseases such as obesity or diabetes should consult their doctor about chocolate intake.

• In case you can ingest every day is important to eat chocolate only a small portion because although the chocolate has many health benefits, excessive drinking can be harmful.

• Some animals like dogs, cats, horses, birds and rodents should not eat chocolate, they can not metabolize theobromine. This affects your nervous and cardiovascular systems, causing epilepsy, bleeding and even death.