You might not have to feel as guilty about indulging in chocolate the next time you eat some. This tasty treat may have a number of health benefits, despite its unfavorable reputation for contributing to weight gain.
FACT CHECK:
Diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure have all been linked to eating too much of it.
Although chocolate has a reputation for having a high caloric and antioxidant content, studies have shown that it may also help reduce cholesterol and protect against memory loss.
Moderation is key when eating chocolate while working out to lose or maintain weight.
POSITIVE EFFECTS ON HEALTH
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High in Cholesterol
Eating it can lower your “bad” (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol levels.
As part of a low-fat diet, eating chocolate bars with PS and CF on a regular basis has been shown to improve cardiovascular health by reducing cholesterol and blood pressure.
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It improves brain function
Two cups of hot chocolate a day may help prevent cognitive decline and preserve memory in the elderly, according to a study conducted by researchers at Harvard Medical School.
It was also found to increase blood flow to underserved regions of the brain.
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Reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease
Higher rates of chocolate consumption may be associated with a reduced risk of cardiometabolic disorders in humans, suggesting that the consumption may help protect against heart disease.
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Stroke prevention
In a study involving 44,489 people, Canadian researchers found that those who consumed even one ounce of chocolate had a 22% lower risk of having a stroke of any kind. Additionally, about two ounces of chocolate a week reduced the risk of death from stroke by 45 percent.
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Improves Athletic Capacity
Consuming a small amount prior to a workout has been shown to increase oxygen delivery to working muscles.
Note of Caution For Use of Chocolate
While it has been shown to have some positive health effects, excessive consumption can have the opposite effect.
The negative effects of excessive consumption include:
Gaining weight: Eating it is associated with a smaller waist circumference and a reduced body mass index (BMI). The fat and sugar in chocolate contribute to its high caloric content.
If you’re trying to lose weight or maintain your current weight, you should cut back on chocolate and always read the nutrition label.
Dental Cavities:Due to its high sugar content, chocolate is often blamed for cavities.
Migraine:Chocolate’s tyramine, histamine, and phenylalanine content makes it a migraine trigger for the vast majority of the population.