When you think about the healthiest snacks, chocolate probably doesn’t come to mind. But in truth, it can be a healthy snack that you can enjoy as part of an overall well-balanced diet. It’s basically the perfect snack when you’re playing tischkicker, gaming and whatnot.
If you have reservations about eating chocolate, know that there are many different types of this treat. You can find dark chocolate that is rich in health benefits and contains minimal sugar. In fact, research shows that eating small amounts of dark chocolate can be good for your heart, blood pressure and even your weight.
Dark Chocolate is Rich in Important Nutrients
Most people think that eating lots of chocolate makes you more likely to develop deficiencies, but research shows that this is not true. One study found that eating dark chocolate daily can increase your blood levels of antioxidants.
These antioxidants help protect your body from damage caused by free radicals. In fact, eating two to three ounces of dark chocolate daily can greatly increase your levels of antioxidants in your blood. This is good, because antioxidants can help prevent disease, reduce your risk of diabetes and even lower your blood pressure.
Dark Chocolate can Help You Lose Weight
Studies show that eating one to two ounces of dark chocolate daily may help you lose weight. It’s thought that the flavanols in dark chocolate are the reason behind this effect.
One study found that women who ate one ounce of dark chocolate every day for 12 weeks lost weight. They also had lower blood pressure. In addition, they had higher amounts of HDL (good) cholesterol.
Another study followed people who ate one ounce of dark chocolate daily for three months. At the end of the study, they had significantly less body fat and lower blood pressure than the people who didn’t eat any dark chocolate.
Lowering Risks of Cardiovascular Disease
In the US, cardiovascular condition is the top cause of death. Eating dark chocolate daily may help reduce your risk of developing heart disease. You can reduce your risk of heart disease by eating a diet that is rich in antioxidants. Eating dark chocolate daily can greatly increase your intake of antioxidants. But remember to do it moderately. Eating too much dark chocolate can actually increase your blood pressure.