Photo by unsplash.com/@tetiana_bykovets
By: Hannah Darnell, RN
I realize yesterday was World Chocolate Day, but I was quite distracted. I decided I couldn’t let this special day pass me by yet again. So, who votes for World Chocolate Hour? Its deliciously decadent silky-smooth texture takes you to a brief heavenly space. The precious ingredient cocoa polyphenol that replenishes the mind, body and soul.
The weight loss journey can be a tough one, but chocolate may save the day. (1) The amazing news is you can still have your chocolate and eat it too. There are several health benefits in fortified dark chocolate like: reducing the risk of heart disease, cancer, promoting healthy bowel movements, and my favorite, losing weight. (1) Dark chocolate is composed of several nutrients fortified in the mix. Fortified means vitamins and minerals added in after temperature overcooks key nutrients out of food products. (1)
Dark chocolate contains antioxidants that help your body eradicate free radicals. These free radicals have free range of your body and shouldn’t be there. (1) If you are diabetic, you may understand why the doctor allows you to eat berries, even though these fruits contain sugar; the antioxidants are so much more nutritious. (1) Think of an algebra equation: the sugar cancels out as the antioxidants breakdown adipose tissue (fat cells, aka added to your person). I couldn’t help whisking in a little math, but now back to the matter at hand; as the chocolate melts in my mouth.
You may be ready to call it a day by 2 pm and need a nap. Take a bite of that dark chocolate without guilt as your heart, mind and soul needs a reboot to finish your day. According to the National Library of Medicine, “DC (Dark Chocolate) is believed to improve the blood flow in both the heart and brain. The different chemical compounds present in dark chocolate stimulate cognitive function and also positively modulate mood swings (Lippi et al., 2009).” (1)
Probiotics are helpful in allowing your body to produce positive bacteria. You may think this makes no sense, but I assure you it’s true. Your gut needs some types of good bacteria (normal flora) to fight out the bad types. (1) Good old chocolate rescues the day again, boosting your immune system, and is being studied further to strengthen athletes during a game and afterwards for replenishment. (1) Not only does cocoa improve your immune system, but actually balances it; similar to an anti-inflammatory medication. (1) Our bodies contain white blood cells that fight infection. However, some people have these cells that not only annihilate the infection, but include a little friendly fire as well (auto-immune diseases). Examples include those who have rheumatoid arthritis, colitis, and IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). (2)
In lieu of an apple today, let’s have a fortified piece of dark chocolate to keep the doctor at bay.
References:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9589144/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5506464/
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