1. Recent studies have shown a reduction in the risk of getting cardiovascular disease in those who regularly ate dark chocolate. In those susceptible to Alzheimer's, diabetes and stroke a 50% reduction in risk was reported.
2. Stroke happens when blood thickens and causes a clot to lodge in the brain. Eating dark chocolate causes bacteria in your gut to manufacture anti-inflammatories which thin the blood, lessening the chance of you getting a stroke.
3. A report summarizing the results of 20 different studies on the benefits of dark chocolate, showed that participants blood pressure was lowered by some 3 to 4 points after regularly eating dark chocolate.
4.You don't have to be old and sick to benefit. Young and healthy men in their 20's reported a blood flow increase of between 14% and 23%.
5. Are you concerned about your cholesterol? Well, daily eating a square of dark chocolate can increase the good cholesterol (HDL) and lower bad cholesterol (LDL).
6. Insulin sensitivity in diabetics, and even non-diabetics showed improvement upon consumption of dark chocolate.
7. Imagine a candy that could improve the state of your teeth! Well a substance in dark chocolate called Theobromine has been shown to harden tooth enamel.
8. Dark chocolate improves blood flow to the skin surface giving you a healthy glow and protecting you from the sun.
9. Again, the flavonols in 70% dark chocolate have been shown to improve blood flow - this time to the brain. Another substance, phenylethylamine, helps release 'feel good' hormones in the brain helping you feel relaxed and happy.
Choosing The Right Chocolate For Best Results
Do Buy clearly labelled 70% or higher dark chocolate. This was the strength used in the above studies. If you don't mind the taste, 80% or even 90% is even better. Don't buy the milky, sweet varieties. This is because the flavonols, which are responsible for the above benefits, have been stripped out of the milky, sweet chocolate to make way for the sweeter taste.
2. Stroke happens when blood thickens and causes a clot to lodge in the brain. Eating dark chocolate causes bacteria in your gut to manufacture anti-inflammatories which thin the blood, lessening the chance of you getting a stroke.
3. A report summarizing the results of 20 different studies on the benefits of dark chocolate, showed that participants blood pressure was lowered by some 3 to 4 points after regularly eating dark chocolate.
4.You don't have to be old and sick to benefit. Young and healthy men in their 20's reported a blood flow increase of between 14% and 23%.
5. Are you concerned about your cholesterol? Well, daily eating a square of dark chocolate can increase the good cholesterol (HDL) and lower bad cholesterol (LDL).
6. Insulin sensitivity in diabetics, and even non-diabetics showed improvement upon consumption of dark chocolate.
7. Imagine a candy that could improve the state of your teeth! Well a substance in dark chocolate called Theobromine has been shown to harden tooth enamel.
8. Dark chocolate improves blood flow to the skin surface giving you a healthy glow and protecting you from the sun.
9. Again, the flavonols in 70% dark chocolate have been shown to improve blood flow - this time to the brain. Another substance, phenylethylamine, helps release 'feel good' hormones in the brain helping you feel relaxed and happy.
Choosing The Right Chocolate For Best Results
Do Buy clearly labelled 70% or higher dark chocolate. This was the strength used in the above studies. If you don't mind the taste, 80% or even 90% is even better. Don't buy the milky, sweet varieties. This is because the flavonols, which are responsible for the above benefits, have been stripped out of the milky, sweet chocolate to make way for the sweeter taste.
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Follow these links to find out more about dark chocolate health benefits as well as the health benefits of other health benefits of coconut oil
