Dark chocolate benefits
Dark chocolate benefits
Do you like chocolate? I want to talk to you about the dark chocolate benefits, some say it is unhealthy, others disagree saying it is healthy yes. Of one thing no one can deny, chocolate is delicious. There are more benefits in chocolate than harm in that bar consumed with pleasure.
They are increasingly tempting, wrapped in insinuating, semi-transparent papers. Leaking here and there its filling, pure water in the mouth, few of us can resist the attraction of chocolate. Chocolate has always been considered the number one enemy of diets and healthy living.
Medicine and nutrition are proving that its benefits outweigh any possible harm. Its capacity to stimulate the production of serotonin has been increasingly valued.
Dark chocolate benefits – What is Serotonin
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that has been linked to many physiological processes in the body, including mood regulation, appetite, digestion, sleep, memory, and sexual desire. Serotonin is produced in the brain, gut, and other organs, and is present in most animals. The role of serotonin in mood regulation and behavior is perhaps the best known. It has been linked to feelings of well–being, happiness, and satisfaction. Low levels of serotonin have been linked to depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders. Increased serotonin levels can have a calming effect and help to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.
Serotonin is also involved in appetite regulation. Low levels of serotonin have been associated with increased hunger and cravings for carbohydrates. Serotonin regulates the digestive process by stimulating the production of gastric juices and facilitating the movement of food through the digestive tract. Serotonin is also involved in sleep regulation. It helps to regulate the body‘s circadian rhythms and can promote sleep onset and prolong sleep duration.
Low levels of serotonin can lead to insomnia and other sleep disturbances. Serotonin also plays a role in memory formation and recall. It has been shown to be involved in the consolidation of short–term memories into long–term memories.
Although chocolate does contain serotonin, it is not the primary source of serotonin in the body. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter primarily created in the brain from the amino acid tryptophan. Eating chocolate may increase levels of serotonin in the brain, but this effect is typically very short-lived. Additionally, serotonin is not the only neurotransmitter involved in the pleasurable effects of eating chocolate.
Dark chocolate benefits – Chocoholic men and women
Some consider that the desire for chocolate in women is more pronounced than in men. This is because in them there would occur a decrease of serotonin neurotransmitter in the brain with the proximity of menstruation.
The sugar would then compensate for the lack of this substance that promotes this well, thirty minutes after ingestion, one can already notice a change in the nervous system leading to relaxation.
The anxiety to consume dark chocolate tends to increase right after ovulation, when the level of the hormone progesterone decreases.
7 benefits of dark chocolate
Dark chocolate is a rich source of antioxidants, and has been linked to several health benefits. Studies have shown that dark chocolate may help reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering blood pressure and bad cholesterol. It may also improve brain function, including improving cognitive function and preventing age-related cognitive decline. It is also high in fiber and iron, and may help to reduce inflammation.
Other potential benefits of dark chocolate include improved skin health, improved blood sugar control, and a potential reduction in the risk of certain cancers.
- Rich in Antioxidants: Dark chocolate is loaded with antioxidants, which are compounds that help protect your body against damage caused by free radicals.
- Improves Blood Flow and Lowers Blood Pressure: The flavonoids in dark chocolate help improve blood flow and lower blood pressure.
- May Reduce the Risk of Heart Disease: Studies show that people who eat dark chocolate have a lower risk of heart disease than those who don’t.
- May Improve Brain Function: The same flavonoids in dark chocolate that improve blood flow may also improve brain function.
- May Help You Lose Weight: Eating dark chocolate can help you lose weight, as it is low in fat and calories and high in fiber.
- May Reduce Stress Levels: Dark chocolate may help reduce stress levels and improve your mood.
- May Help Prevent Sun Damage: Dark chocolate may help protect your skin from sun damage.
Dark chocolate benefits – Is there chemical dependency for Chocolate?
All the considerations made here refer to the moderate consumption of chocolate. It has been proven that this food can cause addiction just like alcohol, smoking, and drugs. Compulsive behavior can manifest itself with different “pleasure objects”, such as gambling, compulsive sex, and even just thinking about work.
In the past, dependency was called addiction. Today this term is avoided because it is loaded with prejudice and disqualifies the patient. Every person who has a disease, be it chemical or behavioral, is considered sick and needs medical and psychological treatment.Although dark chocolate has many health benefits, its consumption needs to be moderate.
My mother always said that too much is bad for you, and in fact this is true for everything you should eat. It is not because it is healthy that you will eat too much, health is also about respecting your body’s limits.
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