Consumption of dark chocolate makes you feel good. One of the reasons is because of a compound contained in dark chocolate called phenylethylamine. It’s sometimes also called the “love drug”, because it arouses in our brains similar feelings to those that occur when one’s in love. If you’ve been told that consumption or ingestion of dark chocolate is one of your vices, it’s time we set the record straight to reveal to you what modern scientific research has shown about the potential benefits of consuming dark chocolate.
The Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate
1. Helps improve blood flow
The reasons dark chocolate may be beneficial are because of phenylethylamine but also because of the high amounts of polyphenols and antioxidants contained in dark chocolate. One study showed that patients suffering from peripheral artery disease (PAD) which causes difficulties in walking acutely improved their walking autonomy by eating dark chocolate (not milk chocolate). Eating dark chocolate every day helped patients walk pain-free. Apart from the polyphenols and antioxidant effects, it may have also been due to increasing nitric oxide levels, which helps to dilate blood vessels and improve blood flow.
Another study showed that dark chocolate was successful in reducing oxidative stress in athletes, as well as reducing muscle and joint pain.
2. Reduces risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes
Cacao bean, where dark chocolate is ultimately derived, is a rich source of bioactive compounds. One of which is a flavin thrill. Its consumption has been associated with several beneficial effects such as the positive modulation of the homeostasis targeted by platelet aggregation. If you can reduce platelet aggregation, you’re decreasing one of the important risk factors for cardiovascular disease. It has also been shown that the consumption of dark chocolate-covered almonds can help control conditions like lipid profiles, so cholesterol and triglycerides reducing risk factors for cardiovascular disease, blood sugar control thereby reducing risk factors for diabetes.
3. Prevents DNA damage
Another study showed that the polyphenols and flavonoids from cacao and dark chocolate significantly prevents DNA damage and improves the nucleus integrity of the cell.
4. Improves tissue oxygenation
Another study showed that a single ingestion of dark chocolate improves erythrocyte deformation. Erythrocytes are red blood cells and red blood cells are responsible for transferring the oxygen that we breathe to every cell in the body. When those erythrocytes or red blood cells are deformed, they have less oxygen donating capacity. The consumption acutely of dark chocolate may considerably improve blood flow throughout the body resulting in better tissue oxygenation.
We’ve actually developed a supplement of cacao melody which contains unrefined extracts from cacao or the bean that is ultimately made into chocolate. Being unprocessed means that it contains even higher amounts of the polyphenols and antioxidants that are responsible for chocolate’s beneficial effects. We’ve also included some botanical agents to improve cheerful health, energy levels to promote an overall improvement in your mood and physical health. Check it out and let us know what you think!
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