Chocolate is a popular sweet treat around the world, known for its sweet flavor and smooth texture. But aside from its delicious taste, chocolate also comes with many questions regarding its health effects.
Chocolate is rich in antioxidants, particularly flavonoids, which help protect cells in the body from damage caused by free radicals. These compounds may help reduce the risk of certain chronic diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, and cancer. In addition to the various substances that benefit the heart, chocolate is also found to contain:
- Phenylethylamine (PEA) helps create neurotransmitters that help reduce stress. It is a key factor in making eating chocolate feel ‘feel good’ and also increases sexual energy.
- Anandamide (meaning “happiness” in Sanskrit) works to reduce pain, regulate body temperature, and induce mood.
Dark chocolate สนใจสมัคร? คลิกที่นี่เพื่อเริ่มต้น improves brain function. Flavonoids in dark chocolate work by helping blood vessels dilate, similar to drinking wine or tea, allowing blood to be pumped to the brain better. Before starting work or a meeting, try eating 1-2 small pieces of dark chocolate to help brighten your brain and improve your memory.
Consuming chocolate in moderation can be part of a healthy diet without negatively impacting your weight. The key is to control portion sizes and choose high-quality chocolate, such as dark chocolate that is high in cocoa and low in sugar.
To get the benefits of eating dark chocolate, you should eat dark chocolate that contains at least 70% cocoa, as it contains less sugar and is rich in flavonoids. Eat 50-100 grams at a time (for dark chocolate bars, break it into 1-2 pieces and eat them at a time) 2-3 times a week. This will help balance your blood sugar levels and allow your body to receive the full benefits of cocoa.
For those who love milk chocolate, don’t be sad. Milk chocolate is not a bad thing. It just has a lower percentage of cocoa. You can eat it to increase happiness and add flavor to your life. But you have to limit the amount you eat for your own good health.