Is chocolate really good for the heart and brain, or is it just wishful thinking? The health effects of chocolate are the possible positive and negative effects on the health of eating chocolate. Although considerable research has been conducted to evaluate the potential health benefits of consuming chocolate, there are insufficient studies to confirm any effect and no medical or regulatory authority has approved any health claim. Eating large quantities of chocolate can do more harm than good.
Chocolate lowers cholesterol
Regular consumption of chocolate bars containing PS and CF, as part of a low-fat diet, may support cardiovascular health by lowering cholesterol and improving blood pressure.
It reduces risk of stroke
Researchers in Finland have found that chocolate consumption lowers the risk of suffering a stroke - by a staggering 17 per cent average in the group of men they tested.
Mood elevator
The smell of chocolate may increase theta brain waves, resulting in relaxation. Chocolate contains phenyl ethylamine, a mild mood elevator.
Reduce bone density
Chocolate may contribute to lower bone density. Chocolate can trigger headaches in migraine sufferers. A 2 oz.piece of chocolate contains more than 200 mg of potassium. Therefore, if you have a condition that requires you to restrict the potassium in your diet, chocolate is not the treat for you.
Diabetes and Cavities
One milk chocolate bar has 26 grams of carbohydrates and 1 ounce of dark chocolate has 17 grams, most of which is from sugars or refined carbohydrates. Refined carbohydrates can cause spikes in your blood sugar, which can make your body resistant to insulin over time and may lead to Type 2 diabetes. The excess sugar may also send you to the dentist more often than you’d like with tooth decay and cavities.
Weight Gain
Chocolate is high calories, and excess caloric intake leads to weight gain. Being overweight can result in a number of health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Hershey’s standard 43 g milk chocolate bar contains 210 calories, 13 g of fat and 24 g of sugar. But if you eat only one or two small pieces of the chocolate bar, rather than the entire thing, you should be able to control your weight while fulfilling your chocolate craving.
Chocolate may prevent memory decline
Drinking two cups of hot chocolate a day could help keep the brain healthy and reduce memory decline in older people. The researchers found that hot chocolate helped improve blood flow to parts of the brain where it was needed.
Good for baby
Good news for expectant mothers: eating 30 grams of chocolate every day during pregnancy might benefit fetal growth and development.
It's good for your skin
The flavones in dark chocolate can protect the skin against sun damage (though you'd probably better still slap on some sun cream).
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