As a parent, one must have found many reasons to convince your child not to eat more chocolate. Well, there is good news! According to a recent study dark chocolate consumption reduce stress and improve memory, immunity and mood.
According to new two studies, eating dark chocolate can reduce stress, improve mood, and have a positive effect on memory and immunity. The lead researcher, Dr. Lee S. Berk, associate dean of research affairs for Loma Linda’s School of Allied Health Professions, California, presented the findings at the Experimental Biology 2018 meeting in San Diego on April 23-24. Data represent first human trials examining the impact of dark chocolate consumption on cognition and other brain functions.
However, prior studies have already mentioned many health benefits of dark chocolate. This does not mean all the chocolates loaded with sugar are good. But the dark chocolate, especially the ones with 70% cocoa content has many health benefits. Here are few already known benefits.
- Quality dark chocolate is rich in fiber, Iron, copper, manganese, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, zinc and selenium
- Dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants (Polyphenols, flavanols, catechins among others) which fights against the free radicals (bad) in the body
- Dark chocolate is very good to lower cardiovascular diseases. It can also reduce insulin resistance.
- Because of flavonols, which can protect against sun induced damage, dark chocolate improves blood flow to the skin and protect from sun damage.
- It also improves brain functioning, as flavonols improves blood flow to the brain.
What is the recent study about?
“For years, we have looked at the influence of dark chocolate on neurological functions from the standpoint of sugar content — the more sugar, the happier we are,” Dr. Berk explained. The new research suggested it’s not just sugar but also cacao that plays a key role in helping people reap health benefits from chocolate consumption.
“This is the first time that we have looked at the impact of large amounts of cacao in doses as small as a regular-sized chocolate bar in humans over short or long periods of time, and are encouraged by the findings. These studies show us that the higher the concentration of cacao, the more positive the impact on cognition, memory, mood, immunity and other beneficial effects,” he added.
According to the first study, eating dark chocolate (with 70 percent cacao), Cacao enhances human gene expression: Regulates and boosts cellular immune response, neural signaling and sensory perception.
While the second study showed that eating dark chocolate enhanced neuroplasticity for behavioral and brain benefits: That is improves memory and learning abilities.
Overall, eating dark chocolate with 70 percent cacao regularly is good for brain, immune system and heart, all in all reducing stress level too. However, this does not mean that one can binge on unlimited chocolate, as it also has sugar content. Eating in moderation everyday does good to your health.
And for children, parents don’t have to scout for reasons…but buy chocolates with 70% cacao.
Source: Healthline, Medical Daily