NEVER WITHOUT CHOCOLATE
Chocolate, which has gained a serious reputation in recent years because it supports our heart health and helps extend life, is among the favorite foods of many of us. Of course, its benefits are only realized when consumed in a controlled manner.
While it makes us happy, it also protects our heart
Research has shown that chocolate consumed regularly and in the right amounts reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and metabolic diseases. It states that it reduces the risk of cardio-metabolic disorders such as syndrome. It also increases the secretion of endorphins and serotonin in the body, resulting in a feeling of happiness. Because of this feature, experts often recommend chocolate for meditation.
A strong source of antioxidants
Chocolate, which has antioxidant properties with the flavanols and polyphenols it contains, provides immunity thanks to this feature. It protects our body against cancer by strengthening our system. It has also been found that flavonoid components are beneficial for memory problems that increase with age. Theobromine, another substance found in chocolate, along with other antioxidants, reduces the risk of hypertension, insulin resistance, high cholesterol, atherosclerosis and related cardiovascular diseases. Studies have proven that eating 6 g chocolate a day reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke by 39%.
Cocoa rate is important
As the cocoa content in chocolate increases, its positive effects on health also increase. Especially in a chocolate with 85% or more cocoa content, maximum benefit is achieved since the use of other ingredients (milk, sugar, oil, etc.) is minimal. However, choosing those containing 65% cocoa solids will be enough for you to benefit from the health benefits of chocolate.
Too Much Harm
Although chocolate contains many beneficial nutrients, it is low in calories. We should not forget that it is a high-quality food. Large portions may increase calorie intake and cause weight gain. I would like to remind you again that weight gain also causes diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases and stroke risk. The good news is that a study published in the European Heart Journal It comes from a research; It has been stated that even small amounts of chocolate consumption has a positive effect on heart health. However, since chocolate contains around 60% carbohydrates, excessive consumption may result in sudden increases and then sudden drops in our blood sugar, which may cause early hunger or disorders in insulin release.
How much of which chocolate should we consume?
How much of which chocolate should we consume?
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As I mentioned before, we should choose chocolates with as high a cocoa content as possible. In this regard, while the best option is dark chocolate, every product with the word bitter may not contain the cocoa content required for health. The reason why dark chocolate is important is that while it contains more cocoa than other milk chocolates, it does not contain the added sugar and fats found in milk chocolate. Consuming 40 grams of dark chocolate per week, which contains a minimum of 65% cocoa solids, will allow us to benefit from all these beneficial effects.
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