Adopted by many people around the world, chocolate, whose World Day is celebrated this Tuesday, October 1, has the particularity, in addition to its deliciousness, of being good for the body, particularly dark chocolate.
The French are big chocolate lovers. They consume 7.3 kg per person each year according to the Chocolate Union. This gourmet product also has beneficial properties for the body. Here are five reasons to enjoy it every day.
It stimulates the brain
Consuming chocolate with a high cocoa content would increase your attention span thanks to the presence of natural stimulants. Flavanols indeed have a positive effect on our cognitive abilities. So we could improve our memory, while treating ourselves to a small square of chocolate which also contains caffeine and theobromine.
It brings back the smile
Beyond its pleasant taste that warms the heart, dark chocolate contains polyphenols but also tryptophan. This amino acid accelerates the production of serotonin, also called the “happiness hormone”. A few pieces are also enough to fill our magnesium deficiencies (112 mg per 100 g) and counter the negative effects of stress. Chocolate is therefore a wonderful antidepressant.
It is good for the heart
To all those who feel guilty when they bite into a bar, tell yourself that chocolate has beneficial effects on heart health.
“Eating one or two pieces of dark chocolate daily is good for the heart. But it’s only thanks to cocoa powder, very rich in flavonoids (antioxidant pigments also found in red wine or tomatoes). These reduce the formation of bad cholesterol and clots that block the arteries. They thus avoid an increase in blood pressure,” specified the French Cardiology Federation.
It helps reduce wrinkles
In addition to the fact that it reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, chocolate fights against premature aging of cells. How ? Thanks to its content of flavonoids, antioxidants found in cocoa powder. On the other hand, this is less true for milk chocolate and white chocolate.
It relieves cough
Dark chocolate contains theobromine, a compound similar to caffeine. It would have antitussive properties and thus make you feel a little better in the event of a cold in particular. As long as you consume this snack in moderation.
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