The best chocolate for health is semi-sweet chocolate, because this type of chocolate has the best relationship between the percentage of cocoa and the amount of other nutrients. Therefore, it is richer in important antioxidants that protect cells and prevent premature aging.
However, semi-sweet chocolate when consumed in excess also makes you fat and can harm your health due to the accumulation of fat.
The cocoa present in semi-sweet or dark chocolate also has important benefits for combating cholesterol, improving heart health, preventing thrombosis and even improving mood. However, to achieve these benefits, you cannot overeat.
Main health benefits of dark chocolate
The main benefits of semi-sweet chocolate can be:
- Give a feeling of well-being – as it helps in the release of the hormone serotonin;
- Stimulate the central nervous system – due to the presence of theobromine, a substance similar to caffeine;
- Prevent the onset of cancer – because it has antioxidants, called flavonoids, which protect the body’s cells.
Discover all the incredible benefits of chocolate explained by our nutritionist.
How to choose the best chocolate
The best chocolate for health is one that has:
- More than 70% cocoa;
- Cocoa should be the first ingredient on the ingredients list;
- It should have a small amount of sugar, preferably less than 10 g. If it is sweetened with Stevia, it is better for your health, because this is a natural ingredient.
Preference should also be given to chocolates made with organic ingredients, as in this case cocoa does not contain toxins or pesticides that can reduce its nutritional quality and, consequently, reduce the amount of benefits.
Chocolate nutritional information
The nutritional information in this table refers to approximately 5 squares:
In addition to being rich in antioxidants, dark chocolate also has calories and fats, therefore, to have the health benefits of chocolate, chocolate should preferably be consumed after a meal such as breakfast or lunch, and it should be avoid its consumption at other times of the day.
Effects of chocolate on the liver
Consuming small doses of semisweet chocolate or dark chocolate is beneficial for the liver. The consumption of other types of chocolate, such as milk chocolate or white chocolate, does not have the same effect.
Excessive consumption of dark or semi-sweet chocolate can lead to the appearance of symptoms of liver problems even in healthy individuals, such as tiredness, dizziness, lack of appetite, headache, bitter taste in the mouth or even nausea and vomiting.
The antioxidant substances present in chocolate help with the blood flow of the veins that irrigate the liver, favoring its performance, including in cases of liver problems, such as cirrhosis and portal hypertension, for example.
But in case of excessive consumption, what you can do to treat the liver is to stop consuming chocolate, any other source of fat and alcoholic beverages and invest in detoxifying teas with a bitter taste, such as carqueja or boldo. , for 1 or 2 days or until the symptoms subside.
Benefits of dark chocolate for the heart
Dark chocolate is good for the heart because it contains many antioxidants, which facilitate blood circulation, promoting adequate blood flow in the body, and thus reducing the risk of heart disease.
However, just 1 square, around 5 g, per day, after breakfast or lunch, is enough to get all the benefits of dark chocolate.
Furthermore, dark chocolate contains theobromine, a substance that stimulates the heart muscles, making them stronger.
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