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Chocolate lovers! Here is a good news for you. There are several studies that have revealed that dark chocolate is loaded with phenolic compounds known as flavonoids that are good for your overall health. The flavonoids in dark chocolate are potent antioxidants and protect the cells against harmful oxidation damage. The darker the chocolate, the higher the levels of flavonoids and daily eating a piece of dark chocolate that is sugar-free and fat-free is really good for your health. Consuming it in moderate quantities has shown a great positive impact on your health.
Here Are The Top 11 Ways To Use Dark Chocolate As A Medicine:
1. Use It As A Protection Against Free Radical Damage:
Dark chocolate is known for its potent antioxidant [1] properties and has the ability to combat free radical damage. In fact, antioxidants are the components that play a vital role in neutralizing the free radicals and help protect the body from any damage caused by them. Dark chocolate cocoa has higher levels of antioxidants than red wine and green tea. So, start eating dark chocolate regularly.
2. Use It For Keeping Your Heart Healthy:
Dark chocolate has high phenolic content which [2] has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The phenolic extracts and an amino acid known as clovamide are responsible for reducing the inflammation causing markers. Particularly, the clovamide is beneficial for reducing systematic inflammation that is important for the heart health. Few studies have even revealed that the antioxidant activity of dark chocolate played a vital role in influencing the heart health.
3. Use It For Managing Your Cholesterol Levels:
Dark chocolate is known for its high antioxidant [3] compounds and has heart –protecting benefits. It helps in reducing the bad cholesterol or LDL levels and enhances the good or HDL cholesterol and even slows down LDL oxidation. The stearic acid, one of the fats that are present in the chocolate contain benefits that are helpful for improving HDL cholesterol.
4. Use It As A Medicine For Depression:
Dark chocolate that contains at least 75% cocoa has [4] antioxidants that protect the body from the free radical damage which causes premature aging and degenerative issues. Eating a piece of chocolate is helpful in improving the serotonin levels and imparts a feeling of emotional wellbeing. Theobromine and methylxanthines found in the dark chocolate play a vital role in improving your mood and makes you feel good. So, eat a piece of dark chocolate to stay away from depression.
5. Use It For Lowering Your Blood Sugar Levels:
Dark chocolate contains phytonutrients such as [5] flavonoids, sterols, and polyphenols. Consuming it helps in improving insulin sensitivity and helps in lowering the blood sugar levels in type-2 diabetics. So, start including a small piece of dark chocolate in the part of your healthy diet for best results.
6. Use It For Lowering Blood Pressure:
Eating dark chocolate might be helpful in lowering the [6] blood pressure as well. A study has revealed that dark chocolate and other cocoa-rich foods are effective in lowering the blood pressure. The polyphenols found in dark chocolate are responsible for lowering the levels of the blood pressure.
7. Use It For Pregnancy-related Preeclampsia:
Dark chocolate is an excellent source of flavonoids. [7] It contains epicatechin, a flavonoid (antioxidants that are found in dark chocolate) that helps in reducing inflammation, promotes vascular health, and even reduces a pregnancy-related condition known as preeclampsia. So, munch on a piece of dark chocolate regularly to reap all its benefits.
8. Use It For Suppressing A Cough:
Eat a piece of dark chocolate to ward off a cough. [8] According to the research studies, theobromine which is found in the dark chocolate is much powerful than codeine at curbing a continuous cough without making you feel drowsy and constipated.
9. Use It For Improving Brain Functioning:
Indulging in a piece of dark chocolate daily can [9] increase your mental speed and energy because it contains a compound known as theobromine which is a brain stimulant. This compound helps relax the muscles helping dilate the veins and arteries, thus allowing blood flow to the brain more easily.
Dark chocolate also contains PEA or phenylethylamine which helps activate the neurotransmitters within the brain that control mental attention, alertness, and concentration.
10. Use It As A Painkiller:
Dark chocolate is an excellent painkiller. [10] It contains natural analgesics such as cannabinoids and anandamide, which trigger the brain’s release of the natural painkilling compounds. Also, it helps improve your serotonin levels and helps you keep calm and relaxed so that your pain would be less intense.
11. Use It For Your Skin Care:
Dark chocolate contains flavonoids which are potent [11] antioxidants that help improve your skin condition and leaves it soft and less sensitive. It is even helpful in improving the skin’s resistance to the harmful UV rays.
