DARK CHOCOLATE AND ITS BENEFITS

DARK CHOCOLATE AND ITS BENEFITS

Dark chocolate has many health benefits, such as improving cardiovascular function, protecting the skin from the sun, improving brain function, and boosting mood, thanks to the polyphenols and flavanols it contains.

85% Dark Chocolate: Game Changer in Gut-Brain Communication/Connection!
New research shows that not all dark chocolates have the same benefits. While 70% cocoa content showed zero benefits for mood, dark chocolate with 85% cocoa significantly reduced negative emotions and transformed gut bacteria in just 3 weeks.

Proven Benefits of Research:

• significant reduction in negative emotions and stress
• increase in pleasant mood
• significantly higher microbial diversity in the gut

The secret? The polyphenols in chocolate with a high cocoa content feed the Blautia obeum bacteria, which produce butyric compounds that communicate directly with the brain via the gut-brain axis.

The Protocol:
30 g of dark chocolate with >85% cocoa daily
Continuous intake for at least 3 weeks
Choose real, bitter dark chocolate (avoid sugary versions)

Your microbes will thank you. Your brain will too.
Those of us who work together already know which one I prefer, with 96% cocoa…

I would like to remind you that it is a good source of minerals such as:
Iron
Copper
Manganese
Magnesium
Phosphorus
Zinc

Cardiovascular Health:
The flavanols and antioxidants in dark chocolate help improve blood flow, lower blood pressure, and reduce “bad” cholesterol (LDL).
Skin Protection:
Antioxidants, specifically flavanols, improve blood flow to the skin and protect it from damage caused by solar radiation.
Brain Function:
Dark chocolate improves cognitive function, concentration, and memory because flavanols increase blood flow to the brain.
Psychological Well-being:
It is a natural antidepressant that increases serotonin in the brain, improving mood and combating stress.

Important Nutrients:
In addition to antioxidants, dark chocolate is rich in fiber, iron, magnesium, copper, and other minerals, according to www.yourdailynutri.com.
It is a rich source of antioxidants
It is worth noting that raw cocoa beans are among the foods highest on the ORAC scale, which determines the antioxidant activity of foods. Dark chocolate is rich in organic compounds such as polyphenols, flavanols, and catechins, which are biologically active and act as antioxidants. A study has shown that cocoa and dark chocolate had greater antioxidant activity and higher polyphenol and flavanol content than the fruits tested, which included blueberries.

Important Nutrients:
In addition to antioxidants, dark chocolate is rich in fiber, iron, magnesium, copper, and other minerals, according to www.yourdailynutri.com.
It is a rich source of antioxidants
It is worth noting that raw cocoa beans are among the foods highest on the ORAC scale, which determines the antioxidant activity of foods. Dark chocolate is rich in organic compounds such as polyphenols, flavanols, and catechins, which are biologically active and act as antioxidants. A study has shown that cocoa and dark chocolate had greater antioxidant activity and higher polyphenol and flavanol content than the fruits tested, which included blueberries.

Increases HDL cholesterol and protects LDL from oxidation
Eating dark chocolate can improve several important risk factors for heart disease. In a controlled study, cocoa powder was found to significantly reduce oxidized LDL cholesterol in men. It also increases HDL and reduces total LDL for those with high cholesterol. It contains an abundance of powerful antioxidants that enter the bloodstream and protect lipoproteins from oxidative damage. Dark chocolate may also reduce insulin resistance, which is another common risk factor for many diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes.

Improves Brain Function
Dark chocolate can also improve your brain function. A study with healthy volunteers showed that consuming cocoa, which is rich in flavanols, for five days improved blood flow in the brain. Cocoa can also significantly improve cognitive function in older adults with mental impairment. In addition, it contains stimulants such as caffeine and theobromine, which may be a key reason why it improves brain function in the short term.

There is therefore significant evidence that cocoa can offer powerful health benefits, particularly protecting us from heart disease.

Source:
Shin JH, Kim CS, Cha L, et al. Consumption of dark chocolate with 85% cocoa improves mood in conjunction with changes in gut microbes in healthy adults: a randomized controlled trial. J Nutr Biochem. 2022;99:108854. PMID: 34530112

DARK CHOCOLATE AND ITS BENEFITS

Cocoa beans are beneficial to health because they are rich in antioxidants, vitamins (such as C), and minerals (magnesium, iron, copper, zinc). They offer cardiovascular protection, improve brain function and mood, boost the immune system, aid weight loss, and improve skin health. They also protect against free radicals and have potential anti-cancer properties.