Next time you eat a piece of chocolate, you should not have to feel
overly guilty about it.
Despite its bad
reputation for causing weight gain, there is a number of health benefits
associated with this delicious treat.
After the discovery of
the Americas, chocolate became very popular in Europe, and its demand exploded.
Chocolate has since
become an incredibly popular food product that millions indulge in everyday for
its unique, rich, and sweet taste. But what effects does eating chocolate have
on our health?
In the past, chocolate
was highly criticized because of its fat content, and its consumption was
associated with acne, obesity, high blood pressure, coronary artery disease and
diabetes.
However, "today,
chocolate is lauded for its tremendous antioxidant potential".
The potential benefits
of eating chocolate include:
·
Lowering
cholesterol levels
·
Preventing
cognitive decline
·
Reducing The
risk of cardiovascular problems
·
Chocolate may
also help reduce Low Density Lipoprotein cholesterol levels.
A study published in The
Journal of Nutrition was carried out to determine whether chocolate bars
containing plant sterols (PS) and cocoa flavanols (CF) have any effect on
cholesterol levels and the results indicated that, regular consumption of
chocolate bars containing PS and CF as part of a low-fat diet may support
cardiovascular health by lowering cholesterol and improving blood pressure.
Chocolate may prevent memory decline
Scientists at Harvard
Medical School recommend drinking two cups of hot chocolate a day in order to
keep the brain healthy and prevent memory decline in older people.
The researchers said
that hot chocolate can help preserve blood flow in working areas of the brain.
The lead author,
Farzaneh A. Sorond, said: "As different areas of the brain need more
energy to complete their tasks, they also need greater blood flow. This
relationship, called neurovascular coupling, may play an important role in
diseases such as Alzheimer's."
·
Chocolate may reduce heart disease risk
Consuming chocolate
could help lower the risk of developing heart disease by one third, researchers
from the University of Cambridge in England reported in the British Medical
Journal (BMJ) and the European Society of Cardiology Congress in Paris,
France.
"Based on
observational evidence, levels of chocolate consumption seem to be associated
with a substantial reduction in the risk of cardio-metabolic disorders. Further
experimental studies are required to confirm a potentially beneficial effect of
chocolate consumption."
·
Chocolate may prevent stroke
Canadian scientists
carried out a study involving 44,489 people and found that people eating
chocolate were 22 per cent less likely to suffer a stroke than those who
didn't. In addition, those who had a stroke but regularly consumed chocolate
were 46 percent less likely to die as a result.
Teens that eat lots of
chocolate tend to be slimmer.
Researchers from the
University of Granada in Spain found that high chocolate intake among teenagers
is linked with lower levels of total fat, compared to those who do not each
much chocolate, even when accounting for other factors (including exercise).
Risks and precautions
Chocolate has a high
calorie count, containing rather large amounts of sugar.
Therefore, if you are
trying to slim down or maintain your weight, it may be a good idea to set a
limit on your chocolate consumption. The large amount of sugar in most
chocolates can also be a cause of tooth decay.
In addition, there is
research suggesting that chocolate may cause poor bone structure and
osteoporosis.
One study, published
in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, was carried out to
identify the relationship between chocolate consumption and bone density in
older women.
The authors concluded
that "older women who consume chocolate daily had lower bone density and
strength".
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