It’s been around for thousands of years and is consumed in myriad forms until today. But is dark chocolate good for you? And how much is too much?
“Cacao, which is a compound of chocolate, contains many phytonutrients in the form of flavonoids. These act as antioxidants, which may impact cancer prevention”
1 POWERHOUSE OF NUTRIENTS
Not all chocolate is created equal but good-quality dark chocolate with a high cocoa content is full of minerals such as iron, magnesium, copper, manganese, zinc, potassium, selenium and phosphorus. However, it is also a calorie-dense food – being high in sugar and fat – so moderation is key. “Some studies have shown that including chocolate into the diet may help the body metabolise glucose. But, you need to ensure you are eating dark chocolate, of at least 70% and within a certain amount. Nothing more than 30g per day,” says Jordana Smith, licensed dietitian Genesis Healthcare Centre.
2 SOURCE OF ANTIOXIDANTS
Free radicals are everywhere – in the air, water and food – and they’re linked to aging and a host of diseases. Antioxidants are great at keeping them in check and, lucky for us, dark chocolate is full of compounds with free radical-busting properties. “Cacao, which is a compound of chocolate, contains many phytonutrients in the form of flavonoids. These act as antioxidants, which may impact cancer prevention. However, you do need to be ensuring the amount of cacao present, which means dark chocolate should contain 70% or more cacao,” explains Jordana.
3 STRESS BUSTER
Eating dark chocolate usually has a positive effect on one’s mood. Research has backed this by confirming that people who consumed dark chocolate had lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol. The mere smell and taste of chocolate can produce feelings of happiness, but dark chocolate actually stimulates the release of dopamine in the brain, which leads to feelings of euphoria. So, the next time you need a healthy pick-me-up, a generuous bite of dark chocolate should do the trick.
4 LOWERS BLOOD PRESSURE
Certain studies have shown that flavanols in dark chocolate can improve the flow of blood and reduce high blood pressure. Jordana adds, “Chocolate contains theobromine from cacao, which has a blood pressure lowering function. It does this by releasing nitric oxide into the bloodstream which helps reduce the release of enzymes in the blood responsible for vasoconstriction, therefore allowing blood to flow more easily through the body.”
5 GOOD FOR THE GUT
Chocolate lovers don’t need an excuse to snack on chocolate but here’s a good one just in case. Research indicates that during the digestion process chocolate acts as a prebiotic, encouraging the growth of ‘good’ bacteria in the gut. This in turn supports a healthy metabolism.
