The word dark chocolate conjures up images of something sweet and calorie-rich. Cocoa powder, cocoa butter, powdered sugar, and a few drops of vanilla essence are used to make this chocolate. It’s not only delicious to eat, but it’s also a superfood. Eating a piece before a gym session can provide energy, but it should be consumed in moderation.
You should choose dark chocolate that is high in cocoa powder and low in sugar, so it is beneficial for your health. Let’s explore its benefits and downsides, as well as how and in what quantities it is best to consume.
Benefits of Dark Chocolate
Antioxidants, minerals and iron are found in dark chocolate which are very beneficial for our health –
- Flavonoids are found in it which are very good for the heart and it improves blood circulation, besides this it also reduces bad cholesterol.
- By eating it, ‘feel good’ hormones start increasing and your stress reduces due to which you feel fresh.
- It increases the efficiency of the brain, the caffeine and flavonoids found in it improve the effect of blood in the brain and improve memory.
- It is no less than a boon for the skin because the antioxidants found in it protect our skin from the harmful UV rays of the sun and enhance the skin.
Disadvantages of Dark Chocolate
Consuming dark chocolate can be beneficial as well as harmful for you –
- Consuming it can cause problems like obesity and weight gain, though it contains more cocoa powder and less sugar but still it contains a lot of calories and fat and consuming it can increase your obesity.
- Eating it also causes stomach related problems in some people because it can cause acidity and heartburn or stomach upset.
- Eating it also causes insomnia because it contains a lot of caffeine.
- Consuming it also poses a risk of migraine because it contains ‘tyramine’ element which increases the risk of migraine.
How much dark chocolate should you consume
If you want to get the right benefits of dark chocolate then it is very important for you to consume it in the right quantity, you should consume 30 to 60 grams (about 1 to 2 small pieces) of it in a day, do not consume more than this and always buy chocolate with 70% or more cocoa, because due to more quantity of cocoa powder and less amount of sugar, its benefits are more.
The right time to eat dark chocolate
Eating dark chocolate at the right time can be most beneficial, and the best time to eat it is in the morning or afternoon. It contains caffeine, so you shouldn’t consume it before bed. Eating a small piece before exercise can provide ample energy. To eat it, let it melt slowly in your mouth and avoid chewing it immediately. This will fill you up and provide you with energy even after eating a small amount.
