July, 16 2020 | By Sheetal Ramchandani

D for Dark Chocolate

We all love chocolate but feel guilty about eating it. It is rare to find an individual who doesn’t like chocolates. Many know that chocolate is a refined product obtained from cocoa beans. Studies have also shown that people who eat two or three chocolate bars monthly live healthier and longer than those that don’t consume any chocolate. Though most chocolate available commercially are high on sugar. So what is the alternative?

I discovered a chocolate brand called Human with 70% cocoa content, no sugar, no dairy, no GMO, and no additives during my recent visit to New York.

Dark chocolate contains vanilla, sugar, cocoa butter, lecithin which is an emulsifier along with chocolate liquor. Solid milk is not added in the dark chocolate. Also, dark chocolate contains cocoa flavonoids, and these are an excellent source of antioxidants that protect our bodies from the effects of free radicals that can be very damaging.

The cocoa percentage determines the darkness of dark in it which may vary from 30% to 70%. Dark chocolate is a good alternative due to its following benefits:

Chocolates are a rich source of antioxidants

• Increases blood flow in arteries and to the skin
• Causes a small decrease in the blood pressure
• Protects the skin from sun damage
• It also contains potassium and copper which are important for maintaining good health.
• The magnesium levels that are found in a dark chocolate bar typically contain over 12% of the body’s daily needs. This helps in preventing chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular health problems, and hypertension.

Researchers have found that dark chocolate, in particular, has both physical and emotional health benefits when consumed in healthy portions. Chocolate has properties that enhance a multitude of health benefits for our body as well as mental awareness.

If you are going to add chocolate as part of your diet, then what is best recommended is dark chocolate. Eat the amount that is medically required for your daily nutritional needs. Whether or not you like your dark chocolate with nuts or just plain, dark chocolate is the best choice.

Special Recipe to make hot chocolate include:
Organic dark chocolate powder – 1 tbs, Almond milk – 1 cup, Organic Maple Syrup – 1 tbs, simply stir and serve hot.

The main purpose of eating dark chocolate is for its health benefits apart from its delicious taste.

Chocolate is great to eat because of its nutritional value and health benefits, but like everything else, consumption of too much of a good thing can also react negatively. So, the next time that you are eating delicious dark chocolate think of all of the health benefits that you are receiving, but just remember to have almonds with the chocolate to avoid sugar spikes and eat with moderation without adding calories.

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