Dark chocolate is rich in cocoa solids, which contain compounds known as flavonolds. Flavonoids include a huge group of naturally occurring organic compounds containing antiallergic, anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties. Dark chocolate is made from the seed of the cocoa tree which is loaded with nutrients that can positively affect your health and lower the risk of heart disease. At high levels, cocoa flavanols have been shown to help lower blood pressure and cholesterol, improve cognition and possibly lower the risk of diabetes. Dark chocolate is loaded with nutrients that can positively affect your health. But when it comes dark chocolates there are many myths and facts about the same.
Myth 1: Chocolate lack nutritional value
Chocolate is a good source of magnesium, copper, iron and zinc. Dark chocolate bar contains antioxidant capacity as much as 2 3/4 cups of green tea, 1 glass of red wine, or 2/3 cups of blueberries. In addition, chocolate also contains minerals and dietary fiber. A daily serving of dark chocolate which contains more antioxidants than milk chocolate can also help lower blood pressure and improve insulin resistance.
| Nutritional chart about dark chocolate |
| 11 grams of Fiber |
| 98% of the RDA for Manganese |
| 58% of the RDA for Magnesium |
| 67% of the RDA for Iron |
| 89% of the RDA for Copper |
| And good amount of zinc, phosphorus, selenium and potassium |
Myth 2: Chocolate is high in caffeine
Chocolate does contain caffeine, but in very small amounts. Tea and coffee are richer in caffeine than chocolate. The production process of chocolate lowers the effect of caffeine due to the mixture of cocoa with other ingredients. Dark chocolate has the highest quantity of cocoa beans thus the best type of chocolate for the heart.
Myth 3: Chocolate causes cavities
Chocolate helps protect against tooth decay and stop the spread of mouth bacteria. Fermentable carbohydrates cause cavities. While chocolate contains FCs, cocoa butter helps coat teeth, protecting them from developing cavities. Cocoa have a lot of benefits and we’ll add to the list that it contains antibacterial components that fight tooth decays and stop the spread of mouth bacterial.
Myth 4: Chocolate causes headaches
Chocolate is considered by a lot of people as a direct cause of migraines. All the studies ran on migraines didn’t find any connection between food and migraines. Headaches are related to hormones and not to food.
Myth 5: Bad for skin and hair fall
Another myth is that chocolate is bad for skin. In fact, dark chocolate contains potent antioxidants which help in making skin moist, well nourished, soft and supple. Eating dark chocolate on regular basis protects us from sunburns and even skin cancer. On the other hand, dark Chocolate improves blood circulation which in return ensures that blood is properly circulated to the scalp. This nourishes the hair and helps them grow faster.
