Enjoy the health benefits of chocolate but be careful not to overindulge. Overindulging in chocolate can lead to a high intake of calories, sugar, fat, and other health problems.
Flavonoids are powerful antioxidants found in chocolate, along with some magnesium. These nutrients can help lower your blood pressure and decrease your chances of suffering from heart disease or stroke.
Dark chocolate is the healthiest type of chocolate. It contains twice the amount of heart-healthy Flavonoids than milk chocolate. Another problem with milk chocolate is that it may contain more milk than normal, which can reduce our bodies ability to absorb beneficial flavonoids. Dark chocolates that contain at least 70% cacao or cocoa are best to enjoy the rich taste of chocolate and reap the benefits of flavonoids.
The health benefits of dark chocolate are not a reason to indulge in excess. Be mindful of your portion sizes. You should be careful about how much you eat. Only cocoa butter is used in the best dark chocolate varieties. They also do not contain any palm oil, coconut oil or milk fat. Although they are all saturated fats technically, cocoa butter does not have a negative effect on cholesterol. It will not raise your blood cholesterol in the same way as other saturated fats.
Stick to one-ounce portions and keep your daily calorie allowance at 150 calories. A cup of low-fat hot chocolate (typically less than 100 calories per cup) and a cup of soy milk may be enjoyed with one tablespoon of powdered or chocolate syrup. These drinks are high in calcium, which can help to maintain strong bones. You can also use unsweetened cocoa powder as a flavoring for lower-calorie dessert recipes. It is often used in recipes such as Chocolate-Hazelnut Biscotti and Chocolate Angel Food cake. Warm dark chocolate sauce with fresh fruit is all example of my use of it. It is also gluten-free, so it can be used if you have celiac disease.
Women with PMS often crave chocolate before they have their periods. They also report that chocolate makes them feel better. It could be due to the release of serotonin when chocolate is eaten. Experts suggest that consuming nutrient-rich foods, such as those rich in calcium, vitamin D, and magnesium, is more effective in relieving PMS symptoms.
Other than the possibility of weight gain, chocolate can also trigger migraine symptoms. It contains caffeine as well as the amino acids triamine and phenylethylamine. Some people can experience IBS symptoms from chocolate. Consider reducing your chocolate intake or completely avoiding chocolate if you feel uncomfortable after eating it.
Dark chocolate, which contains 70% cacao, unsweetened chocolate powder, and chocolate beverages with skim, 1 %, or soy milk, are the best choices for chocolate.
