Dark chocolate — not white chocolate — lowers high blood pressure Eating more dark chocolate can help lower blood pressure — if you’ve reached a certain age and have mild high blood pressure, say the researchers. But you have to balance the extra calories by eating less of other things.

Reasons that make Dark Chocolate so healthy:

  • Anti – Oxidant Power House

Many people don’t know that chocolate is a plant based food. In fact Raw Cocoa (basic ingredient for any kind of chocolate) contains a very high level of anti-oxidants and with Dark Chocolate containing high levels of cocoa; it too has a high level of anti-oxidants! The anti-oxidants present in dark chocolate are found in the form of polyphenols known as flavanoids, which help protect the body from free radicals and harmful molecules, thereby slowing down the ageing process while protecting us from Cancer!

With Dark Chocolate containing almost twice the amount of Antioxidants as compared to Red wine, the antioxidants found in dark chocolate help protect against ageing and heart problems.

  • Heart Matters

Consumption of Cocoa is proven to help relax one’s arteries as well as widen them; it also helps in widening arteries and maintaining them. Dark chocolate helps in preventing the buildup of plaque on the arteries which can block them, it does so by slowing down the rate of the *oxidization of LDL or Bad Cholesterol. Clinical trials have further proven that consumption of dark chocolate prevents the clogging up of arteries by reducing platelet re-activity.

  • Reduces Blood Pressure

Dark chocolate contains vital minerals such as Magnesium and Copper, which help in regulating and maintaining the blood pressure. Research conducted has found that Dark chocolate triggers the release of Nitric Oxide within the blood. The presence of Nitric Oxide in the blood is responsible for the relaxation and dilation of blood vessels, which allows for more flow of the blood, thereby reducing blood pressure considerably.

 

  • Mood Booster

Dark Chocolate contains many compounds that serve to produce the ‘feel good’ factor on its consumption. The three main compounds found in the chocolate are Theobromine, which is a mild natural stimulant.

However the compound mainly responsible for the boost in our moods after eating dark chocolate is Phenylethylamine (PEA), which triggers the release of endorphins in our brain. So the next time you find yourself feeling blue, pop in a square of Dark Chocolate!

  • Vital Nutrients

No doubt that Dark Chocolate is healthy, but what really makes it so healthy is the assortment of various vital nutrients that it contains such as contains Copper, Iron, Magnesium, Potassium and Calcium in varying yet high quantities. Nutrients such as Magnesium and potassium help in regulating blood pressure while Copper helps in preventing heart ailments; calcium is used to keep the bones healthy, while Iron is used to ferry oxygen within the body!

While Dark Chocolate has multiple benefits, one must keep in mind that “too much of a good thing is bad thing!”, do not make the mistake of substituting other food items in favor of dark chocolate.

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