Concentration, hypertension… Dark chocolate is a food with powerful antioxidants and flavonols.
Every day, a frame of chocolate never hurt anyone! According to the chocolate union the average consumption per family is 13.2 kg per year in France. In addition, the French stand out from other Europeans because they consume more dark chocolate than their neighbors – 30% compared to 5% on average in Europe. The latter also has many health benefits, both from a cardiovascular and cognitive point of view.
Dark chocolate, an ally of our brain
First of all, cocoa contains flavonoids, which increase cognitive function. These flavonols help fight age-related decline, making it a very beneficial treatment, particularly for memory. According to a study conducted by researchers at Harvard University, cocoa helps maintain the intellectual abilities of the elderly.
In addition, according to researchers from the University of Syracuse, chocolate also helps to improve intellectual performance. Thus, by eating a square that contains at least 60% cocoa, you can benefit from a better concentration. It is therefore an ideal food to take an exam. To remind you, dark chocolate is considered dark chocolate when it contains between 43% cocoa and 99% cocoa butter.
Finally, chocolate is also excellent for morale! In addition to being a real pleasure food, it promotes the hormones of happiness – the main ones are serotonin, dopamine and endorphins. Consumption helps to regulate stress, anxiety and depression.
Dark chocolate, beneficial for cardiovascular health
In addition to having all these benefits for our brain and our morale, the consumption of dark chocolate helps to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke. It is a food rich in antioxidants that keep the arteries supple.
Also, according to a study published in the magazine Nature eating dark chocolate helped low blood pressure. Here again, we can thank cocoa, rich in flavonols, which have antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Dark chocolate, excellent for the skin
Finally, another significant argument: dark chocolate is also excellent for the skin. Less rich in sugar than milk chocolate and white chocolate, it causes far fewer spots because it contains more cocoa. The flavonoids then act as powerful antioxidants and protect the skin from UV rays, in addition to preventing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. In other words, you have no more reason not to replace your usual snack with a small square of chocolate!