The benefits and harms of dark chocolate for men and women

Dark chocolate belongs to the favorite delicacies of people from different countries of the world and segments of the population. Nuts, raisins, pieces of cookies are often added to it. All of them make chocolate even tastier, each person will find an option for himself. Such widespread popularity provokes a question that concerns the benefits and harms of treats. Consider the important aspects in order.

The composition and calorie content of dark chocolate

All manufacturers have certain recipes for making chocolate. It is important to understand that the more cocoa in the tile, the more useful the product will be. The higher the calorie content.

Traditionally, 100 gr. dark chocolate accounts for 500-550 Kcal., It all depends on the particular brand. The glycemic index allows diabetics to consume chocolate. In addition, a few slices will not harm the figure.

It is especially useful to eat a treat while dieting. You will increase a charge of vivacity, improve mood and stock up with necessary natural sugar. Even the strictest diet should include this delicacy. The main thing is not to abuse chocolate.

As part of a lot of B vitamins, we are talking about thiamine, riboflavin, pyridoxine, nicotinic acid, pantothenic acid, folic acid and others. All these elements are favorably reflected in the psycho-emotional environment of people.

Dark chocolate is rich in flavonoids, iron, calcium, sodium, phosphorus, tocopherol, vitamin PP, and retinol. In combination, these elements form a powerful union of antioxidants and immunostimulants.

Dark Chocolate Selection

1. Everyone knows that only quality products benefit the body. Therefore, dark chocolate must be chosen correctly. You will find on the shelves a lot of tiles from various manufacturers, do not rush to purchase, carefully read the column "Composition".
2. The most useful and natural is considered chocolate, on the packaging of which is marked "80% cocoa" or "72% cocoa". Be sure that by consuming such a treat you will derive all its valuable qualities.
3. The composition must contain cocoa butter in an amount of at least 30%. Also evaluate the presence of cocoa mass - not less than 60%.
4. Naturally, pay attention to other components. The composition should not be incomprehensible to you thickeners, flavor enhancers, preservatives and other "nasty things."
5. After the purchase, evaluate the tile structure. When breaking the cube, you will feel the pressure and density of the chocolate, there will also be light crunching. Dark chocolate does not have a pure black color; the shade refers to dark brown.
6. The “Composition” column of good dark chocolate must contain only 3 ingredients: grated cocoa, powdered sugar, cocoa butter. This is a natural composition that should not be supplemented by anything.
7. If after opening the packaging you notice a whitish coating on the chocolate, this indicates that the tile lay on the shelves for a long time. Storage conditions could also be violated.
8. Unscrupulous manufacturing companies stuff their products with palm oil to reduce the price of the goods. The main thing is to make sure that this very butter in chocolate is not more than 5%. Otherwise, all the benefits will be reduced to zero.

The benefits of dark chocolate

1. The value of goodies is thoroughly studied. It is useful to eat chocolate with a prolonged cough, only 1 slice will soothe the throat and relieve inflammation.This is made possible by theobromine in dark chocolate.
2. Chocolate reduces intracranial and blood pressure. If you have hypertension, eat a daily slice of a treat that has a cocoa content of at least 70%.
3. If you periodically eat chocolate within reason, you will prevent probable cardiac abnormalities. The composition improves the production of red blood cells and the overall quality of the blood, opens the blood vessels, saturates the tissues with oxygen.
4. Incoming antioxidants stimulate brain neurons, which improves memory, visual perception, concentration. Beta-carotene has a good effect on the eye muscles, strengthening them. Thus, chocolate is indicated for use by people with low vision.
5. The treat contains a lot of iron, which is responsible for the level of hemoglobin. The product is indicated for use by girls during menstruation. Chocolate relieves muscle cramps, improves mood, removes dizziness.
6. The main feature of a quality product is that it has the ability to remove bad cholesterol from the blood. Hence the prevention of atherosclerosis and other ailments of this type.
7. The composition is rich in natural antioxidants. They are necessary for stopping the action of free radicals and their rapid removal from the body. Against this background, cancer prevention is carried out, the risk of premature aging is reduced.
8. Dark chocolate is relatively long digested in contrast to other products of this type. With the onset of severe hunger, it is enough to eat 1 cube to pacify the appetite. For these reasons, the product is often on the menu of even the most stringent diets.
9. The value of chocolate for the psycho-emotional environment has been proven repeatedly. If you eat 25–35 grams daily. product, you will remove the effects of stress, establish a dream, stimulate the release of hormones of joy. On this basis, a person experiences calm.
10. Interestingly, dark chocolate strengthens tooth enamel and is used to prevent tooth decay. It is also used as an analgesic for headaches and toothaches.

Diabetic Chocolate

1. People with insulin dependence often ask the question, is it possible to consume chocolate with a similar disease? There is little sugar in the treat, but almost all high-calorie foods lead to jumps in glucose.
2. Patients with diabetes should know that there are special manufacturing companies that produce chocolate just for you. There is no glucose in this product. Read the composition, it must have a minimum of 85% cocoa.
3. In treats of this type there are polyphenolic compounds that reduce saccharide resistance. If diabetes is of the second type, the product will increase insulin secretion.

Dark chocolate for nursing mothers

1. European doctors insist that newly mummies should consume dark chocolate, but in limited quantities.
2. The specialists of our country do not agree with this statement. They insist on introducing the product into the diet, starting from 3 months of the baby's life.
3. Each case is individual. You need to carefully follow the doctor's recommendations regarding proper nutrition.
4. If you are not allergic to the product, consume 1 cube of chocolate 2 times a week and monitor the child’s reaction. If everything is fine, increase the amount.

Dark Chocolate for Pregnant Women

1. The product is saturated with natural flavonoids. Substances positively affect the general condition of the body of the expectant mother, suppressing premature aging processes. The abundance of trace elements positively affects the fetus.
2. Keep in mind that in a critical period, the consumption of chocolate should be strictly dosed. Oversaturation of the body with the composition can provoke an allergic reaction. Heartburn may also develop and blood flow to the uterus will worsen.

Dark chocolate for women

1. Moderate eating of treats has a positive effect on metabolism, improving the activity of the gastrointestinal tract. Chocolate is recommended in the morning, otherwise problems can affect the hips and waist.
2. To choose quality chocolate, always pay due attention to packaging. Great benefits for the body will bring a product with a high content of cocoa. White and milk chocolate are less healthy.

Dark chocolate in cosmetology

1. In cosmetology, chocolate wrapping is especially popular among the fair sex. A similar procedure can be done at home on your own.
2. To do this, melt 200 gr. quality chocolate in a water bath. Combine the prepared thick with 50 ml. oily cream, mix thoroughly. Apply the composition in a warm form to problem areas of the body. Wait about 20 minutes, rinse.
3. Do not take into account the unconfirmed talk that chocolate supposedly contributes to the appearance of acne. The delicacy has nothing to do with this case. Most often, acne occurs with a hormonal disorder.

Dark chocolate for weight loss

1. Chocolate belongs to high-calorie foods, but its use in diets does not interfere with this at all. The composition contains a small amount of sugar, plus the treat is completely absorbed by the body.
2. The bitter composition perfectly saturates the cells and for a long time suppresses the feeling of hunger. Chocolate removes any desire to eat harmful foods. They can also calm the nervous system after a hard day's work.
3. To lose a few extra pounds, chocolate must be included in the daily diet. With the help of goodies, you can arrange fasting days. Some diets specialize in chocolate diets.
4. This technique is quite tough, since only chocolate bars, purified water and coffee with milk without sugar are included in the daily diet. Keep in mind, before such a procedure, you need to make sure that there are no various ailments.

Harm of bitter chocolate

1. Dark chocolate will be useful for a person in compliance with consumption standards and the absence of contraindications. It is forbidden to eat treats in case of impaired metabolism.
2. Also, chocolate should not be included in the diet for people who are prone to frequent migraine attacks. As part of the treat, tannin is present, the enzyme promotes active vasoconstriction.
3. If you consume a low-quality product, you will soon risk gastritis. If you eat chocolate immensely, you will quickly gain extra pounds and will encounter problems with disturbed sleep.
4. In a normal diet without any diets, the daily norm of chocolate should not exceed 40 grams. Otherwise, you will quickly begin to gain excess weight. The delicacy will bring invaluable benefits to the body if you consume an exceptionally high-quality product.

Rules for storing dark chocolate

1. When buying chocolate, pay attention to the date of manufacture and expiration date. If all the requirements are observed, the product can be stored for up to 1 year.
2. A quality product must have a tight packaging. It is forbidden to store chocolate in the refrigerator. Choose the most suitable place at a temperature of about 17 degrees, humidity not less than 75%, heat sources should be completely absent.

It is only about natural dark chocolate, in which at least 65% of cocoa is concentrated. The benefits and harms of such a product have been studied repeatedly. Before use, make sure that you have no contraindications.

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