Consuming Dark Chocolates In The Early Hours Offers Positive Health Benefits
Highlights
- Chocolates when consumed in moderation are known to provide certain benefits to health including lowering blood pressure, cholesterol and improving heart health.
- A recent study shows that consuming chocolates in the morning improves certain cognitive functions like reasoning, memory and focus.
- It also aids in weight loss and prevents insulin resistance.
Chocolates get their positive attributes due to the presence of cocoa.
Dark chocolate generally has no milk or very less milk compared to white chocolate. It is produced by adding fat and sugar to cocoa. Dark chocolate bars are also sold as thick bars that has 70% to 99% cocoa in it and can be used in cooking. Dark chocolate is also called "plain chocolate" or "black chocolate."
‘Eating chocolates for breakfast can help in weight loss and general health improvement.’
Cocoa beans are fermented seeds of cacao tree. Cocoa is rich in minerals like magnesium, iron, potassium, calcium and manganese. It is also a good source of dietary fiber and so is useful in chronic constipation and bowel disorders. It also offers antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties. The antioxidant properties help to neutralize the free radicals in the body.
It improves elasticity of blood vessels and thus aids in lowering blood pressure. It helps to improve insulin resistance and glucose metabolism and thereby regulates the body's sugar level.
According to the study by Syracuse University, dark chocolate bestows positive effects on cognitive functions like abstract reasoning, memory and focus.
Another study by researchers from the Tel Aviv University, states that eating desserts for breakfast aids in weight loss. They say this is because mornings are when the metabolic activity is the highest. It helps to regulate lipid metabolism and reduces synthesis and transport of fatty acids.
According to food expert, Liz Moskow having a �wake and cake' approach to breakfast helps prepare you better for your workday and hence breakfast is the best meal chocolates can be incorporated into.
"Combining those two studies and the likeability of having dessert for breakfast, we predict that breakfast might start seeing brunch amuse-bouche chocolate cakes or brunch and breakfast restaurants incorporating a robust dessert menu," She added
Earlier this year, it was revealed Warwick University academics reckon chocolate could help in the battle against diabetes and heart disease. Experts at Warwick University suggest eating 100g of the delicious treat every day helps prevent insulin resistance.
Chocolates also reduce cravings by telling receptors in the brain that we're getting a much-needed hit of loveliness, while not plying our bodies with excess sugar and fat.
Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate
- Protects Skin - Cocoa in dark chocolates offers protection against the harmful UV rays by boosting blood circulation to the fine capillaries on the top layer of the skin that protects the sun against dehydration and burns.
- Protects Teeth - Cocoa has antibacterial properties that protect the teeth against cavities by inhibiting the formation of plaque.
- Reduces Cravings - Cocoa reduces the level of appetite and cravings by stimulating the production of anti-hunger hormone called ghrelin.
- Improves Focus - By increasing the blood flow to the brain, cocoa improves cognitive functions like focus, memory and reasoning.
- Reduces Stress - Stress prompts the release of cortisol which triggers the accumulation of abdominal fat. But cocoa reduces the decrease of cortisol and lowers levels of anxiety and stress.
Source: Medindia
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Dr. Meenakshy Varier. (2016, October 21). Consuming Dark Chocolates In The Early Hours Offers Positive Health Benefits. Medindia. Retrieved on Jan 25, 2025 from https://www.medindia.net/news/healthinfocus/eating-dark-chocolates-for-breakfast-offers-various-health-benefits-164482-1.htm.
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Dr. Meenakshy Varier. "Consuming Dark Chocolates In The Early Hours Offers Positive Health Benefits". Medindia. Jan 25, 2025. <https://www.medindia.net/news/healthinfocus/eating-dark-chocolates-for-breakfast-offers-various-health-benefits-164482-1.htm>.
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Dr. Meenakshy Varier. "Consuming Dark Chocolates In The Early Hours Offers Positive Health Benefits". Medindia. https://www.medindia.net/news/healthinfocus/eating-dark-chocolates-for-breakfast-offers-various-health-benefits-164482-1.htm. (accessed Jan 25, 2025).
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Dr. Meenakshy Varier. 2016. Consuming Dark Chocolates In The Early Hours Offers Positive Health Benefits. Medindia, viewed Jan 25, 2025, https://www.medindia.net/news/healthinfocus/eating-dark-chocolates-for-breakfast-offers-various-health-benefits-164482-1.htm.