Dark Chocolate Research Paper

DARK CHOCOLATE: BOON OR A BANE TO YOUR HEALTH

Dark chocolate—sweet, rich, and delicious—is good for more than curing a broken heart.

Dark chocolate is a blend of multiple nutrients that are very beneficial and positively affect one’s health. It is made from the seed of the Cocoa tree and is one of the best antioxidant sources available. Dark chocolate is also known as "bittersweet" or "semisweet" chocolate. It contains a high percentage (≥ 60%) of cocoa solids, and little or no added sugar. Dark chocolate can improve health and reduce the risk of heart disease.

Dark chocolate has plenty of benefits associated with it:

1) Dark chocolate is very nutritious: Dark chocolate which is rich in cocoa (Cocoa, is the powder made from roasted, husked,

In the long term, this should cause much less cholesterol to accumulate in the arteries and hence a lower risk of heart disease over the long term. The copper and potassium in dark chocolate help prevent against stroke and cardiovascular ailments. The iron in chocolate protects against iron deficiency anemia, and the magnesium in chocolate helps prevent type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.

6) Dark chocolate may help protect your skin against the sun: The bioactive compounds in dark chocolate may also be great for your skin. The flavonols can protect against sun-induced damage, improve blood flow to the skin and increase skin density and hydration.

7) Dark chocolate may help improve brain function: Cocoa may also significantly improve cognitive function in elderly people with mental impairment. It also improves verbal fluency and several risk factors for disease. Cocoa also contains stimulant substances like caffeine and theobromine, which may be a key reason cocoa can improve brain function in the short

Dark chocolate with cocoa >70% cocoa is more beneficial to the health. And then there is the last benefit about dark chocolate which is what makes people die for it – the amazing taste.

Anti-inflammatory Anti-carcinogenic Anti-thrombotic, including improving endothelial function Lowers Alzheimer 's risk

Anti-diabetic and anti-obesity Reduction in C-reactive protein Cardioprotective, including lowering blood pressure, improving lipid profile, and helping prevent atrial fibrillation Improved liver function for those with cirrhosis

Neuroprotective Improves gastrointestinal flora Reduces stress hormones Reduces symptoms of glaucoma and cataracts

Slows progression of periodontitis Improves exercise endurance May help extend lifespan Protects against preeclampsia in pregnant women

The above picture summarizes the multiple benefits of dark chocolate.

So next time when you have your sugar craving, make a wise decision and take a giant bite into a bar of dark chocolate rather than milk or white chocolate, and stay healthy. However, everything is good only in, limited