Let’s talk about a topic which is often seen as an indulgence and unhealthy and that’s chocolate. Many people think of a chocolate as a guilty pleasure, something to be enjoyed only in small amounts and only on special occasion. But the truth is that chocolate can be actually good for you in number of ways.
First of all, it is important to understand that not all chocolate is created equal. The chocolates you will find in a checkout aisles in a grocery stores with its added sugar and artificial flavors is not the same as dark chocolate that we will be talking about today. When it comes to chocolate’s health benefits, it’s a dark chocolate without additives.
Benefits of Dark Chocolate
Did you know that dark chocolate can also be good for your skin? The flavonoids in dark chocolate may help protect your skin by the damage caused by sun’s UV rays. In fact, eating dark chocolate in moderation is found to reduce the amount of skin damage caused by UV exposure by 25%. Dark chocolate is also packed with antioxidants which help protect your cells from damage.
And the flavonoids in dark chocolate can improve cognitive function and even protect against age-related cognitive decline. But that’s not all. Dark chocolate has also been shown to improve insulin sensitivity which can reduce the risk of diabetes. It’s also been shown to improve heart health, lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease. And if you are looking for a natural way to improve your mood, dark chocolate might just be the answer.
It contains the compound called as phenyl ethylamine which can help stimulate the release of endorphins, the feel-good chemical in your brain. So the next time you are feeling down, try reaching for a piece of dark chocolate instead of a sugary snack. It’s important to avoid dark chocolate that are available in market as many of them are rich in additives.
Read more about Health on https://beinghealthyyy.com/
Nutritional Value of Dark Chocolate
One hundred grams of dark chocolate may have 598 kcal energy. The nutrients of dark chocolate include:
| Nutrients | Value/100 g |
| Carbohydrate | 45.9g |
| Protein | 7.79g |
| Fibre | 10.9g |
| Fat | 42.6g |
| Sugar | 24g |
| Potassium | 715mg |
| Calcium | 73mg |
| Sodium | 20mg |
| Magnesium | 228mg |
| Manganese | 1.95mg |
| Phosphorus | 308mg |
| Iron | 11.9mg |
| Zinc | 3.31mg |
| Copper | 1.77mg |
| Selenium | 6.8µg |
| Caffeine | 80mg |
| Vitamin A | 2µg |
| Vitamin K | 7.3µg |
| Vitamin E | 0.59mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 0.28µg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.038mg |
| Vitamin B5 | 0.418mg |
| Vitamin B3 | 1.05mg |
| Vitamin B2 | 0.078mg |
| Vitamin B1 | 0.034mg |
Nutritional value of Dark Chocolate per 100 grams.
Furthermore, other biologically active compounds like theobromine, phenylethylamine, N-acylethanolamines, tyramine, epicatechin, catechin, procyanidins, alkaloids, polyphenols, and theophylline may be present in it.1,2
Recipe for Homemade Dark Chocolate
Following are the ingredients you would need.
1 cup cocoa nibs, 1 cup coconut oil or cocoa butter, 1 4th cup honey or maple syrup, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, pinch of salt.
Now instructions
In a double boiler, melt coconut oil or cocoa butter on a low heat. Once melted, add cocoa nibs, vanilla extract and salt to the double boiler. Stir until everything is well combined. Remove the double boiler from the heat and let it cool for a few minutes. Add honey or a maple syrup to a mixture. Pour the mixture into a chocolate mold or a lined baking dish.
Place a mold or dish in a refrigerator and let it chill for 30 minutes or until the chocolate hardens. Once hardened, remove the chocolate from the mold or dish and make it into pieces. Your homemade dark chocolate is now ready to enjoy. Store it in an airtight container in a cool dark place.
Read more about Dark Chocolate on, https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/7-health-benefits-dark-chocolate
Side Effects of Dark Chocolate
Though there are many advantages of dark chocolate. It may also cause caffeine-related side effects. However, below are a few dark chocolate side effects:
- Sleeplessness
- Nervousness
- Increased urination
- Fast heartbeat
- Skin allergies
- Constipation
- Migraine or headache
- Nausea
- Stomach rumbling
- Intestinal discomfort.
You must consult your doctors to get the proper treatment if you encounter such side effects.
Of course, like everything else, it’s important to enjoy dark chocolate in a moderation. Consuming too much chocolate can quickly become unhealthy. While chocolate has historically been viewed as a guilty pleasure, it’s clear that there are many benefits to be gained from enjoying dark chocolate but in moderation.