Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate

Chocolate is a raw or processed food produced from the seeds of the tropical Theobroma cacao tree. Cacao has been cultivated for hundreds of years in Mexico, Central and South America. Chocolate has become one of the most popular food types and flavors in the world. Gifts of chocolate molded into different shapes have become traditional on certain holidays. 

 

 

Even though chocolate is regularly eaten for pleasure, there are potentially many health effects, both negative and positive. Chocolate is rich in phenolics especially flavan-3-ols (catechins) and flavonoids. Dark chocolate's health values are because of its highest percentage of phenolics and flavanoid antioxidants.

1. Cocoa or dark chocolate may positively affect the circulatory system. This is mainly caused by a particular substance present in cocoa called epicatechin. Dark chocolate, with its high cocoa content, is a rich source of epicatechin and gallic acid, which are thought to possess cardioprotective properties. It reduces blood pressure, improved blood flow, and anti-clotting effects that may help prevent plaque formation.

2. Limited amounts of dark chocolate appear to help prevent heart disease.

Dark chocolate has also been said to reduce the possibility of a heart attack when consumed regularly in small amounts. Cocoa possesses a significant antioxidant action, protecting against LDL oxidation, perhaps more than other polyphenol antioxidant-rich foods and beverages. The oxidation of LDL cholesterol is considered a major factor in the promotion of coronary disease. When this waxy substance oxidizes, it tends to stick to artery walls, increasing the risk of a heart attack or stroke.

3. Prevention of premature ageing and cancer.

The study regarding antioxidants report direct correlation in prevention of premature aging and cancer.

4. Many researches found that cocoa-based prescription drugs could potentially help treat diabetes, dementia and other diseases.

5. Brain stimulator.

Chocolate is a mild stimulant mainly due to the presence of theobromine, the primary alkaloid in cocoa solids and chocolate. A specially formulated type of cocoa may be nootropic and delay brain function decline as the people age.

6. Muscle recovery.

Post-exercise consumption of low fat chocolate milk provides equal or possibly superior muscle recovery compared to a high-carbohydrate recovery beverage with the same amount of calories.

5. Prevention of cough.

As a cough suppressant, theobromine was found to be almost one third more effective than codeine, the leading cough medicine.

7. Antidiarrheal effects. 

Flavonoids can inhibit the development of diarrhea, suggesting antidiarrhoeal effects of cocoa.

8. Aphrodisiac.

Romantic lore commonly identifies chocolate as an aphrodisiac. It has been found that methylxanthine, an active biological substance found in chocolate, competes with adenosine, a presynaptic inhibitor modulator, and blocks its receptor that leads to arousal. Phenethylamine, an endogenous alkaloid sometimes described as a 'love chemical' is quickly metabolized by monoamineoxidase-B and does not reach the brain in significant amounts.

The Benefits Of drinking Wines

One of the most controversial issues is whether or not drinking of wine is beneficial for health. The response is equally yes and no. Study tells us that there are certain health advantages of drinking wine, especially red wine. In spite of this, it must be observed that excessive amounts of anything will always lead to harmful effects. Wine when ingested within limits coupled with a healthy diet is of great benefit.

Wine contains anti-bacteria agents and something called procyanidins that both work in wonderful ways in your body to help improve your health. Wine also, being an alcohol, helps to thin blood and let it flow more smoothly through your body. These factors create many benefits that you experience just from drinking wine.

Good heart health. Wine is good for the heart because it helps to thin our blood which allows the heart to work a little less. Additionally, studies have shown that people who consume wine in moderate amounts have lower occurrences of heart disease and other heart problems then people who do not drink wine.

Lowers risk for stroke. Just as wine helps with heart disease it helps prevent stroke. The thinning of the blood helps to prevent clots that lead to stroke.

Lowers risk for cataracts. Studies have shown that wine helps to prevent cataracts. More studies are needed to determine why, but it has been shown in study after study that people who drink wine regularly have a lower occurrence for cataracts.

Lowers risk for diabetes. Studies have shown that drinking wine helps to reduce the risk for developing diabetes. The make up of the wine and its alcohol base help to extend the function of the pancreas and sweep glucose from the body, allowing a person to avoid diabetes onset later in life.

Wine has been shown to help lengthen your life. With all of the health benefits it is no wonder that drinking wine will help you to live longer. Wine has been shown to help slow down the aging of the brain and therefore allow better brain function longer.

Wine lovers will rejoice when all these studies are completed and finally prove that wine is good for you. The one thing, though, that should be noted about the benefits of wine is that these benefits have only been shown to outweigh the negative effects of alcohol consumption when wine is drank in moderation.