Are you a chocolate freak? Or you can’t live a day without it? If yes, then you might be afraid of the number of calories a bar of chocolate would add to your body. Are you fed up with the dilemma? I have a better option for you, if you can’t resist chocolate and find it too difficult to live without it, then ‘dark chocolate is the best option for you. It is bitter but better in taste, has a strong flavor, and is nutritionally far better than an ordinary chocolate bar. Start off your day or end it in a better way after eating a flavorful piece of dark chocolate, it satiates you and provides essential minerals as well.
Why should you eat dark chocolate?
As I stated above, dark chocolate is healthier because it has a higher density of minerals like magnesium and iron. It is even advised to have a small piece of about ten grams of dark chocolate daily. It is rich in fiber and contains about 80% of cocoa. It is a rich source of iron, magnesium, copper, and manganese as well. Apart from them, minerals like zinc, selenium, phosphorus, and potassium are also available in the chocolate. The sugar content in the chocolate is negligible so don’t worry about excess calories. The fat content is mostly of monounsaturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and saturated fatty acids.
Dark chocolate also has a liberal amount of bioactive compounds like catechins, flavonols, and polyphenols which act as antioxidants. They help in the removal of toxic chemicals and free radicals from the body that can damage the cell membrane. These bioactive compounds also help in increasing the good cholesterol values and reduce the bad cholesterol levels in the blood. In this way, dark chocolate helps in getting rid of the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Know your limits
Always keep in mind that regardless of how nutritious a food item is, it becomes toxic or bad for you if overdosed. Dark chocolate has its own benefits but you should consume it occasionally or in small amounts if you want to consume it daily. Most of the products nowadays are highly processed so read the label before purchasing it and always go for high-quality dark chocolate having a cocoa percentage of 70 or above. Keep in mind that the higher the percentage of cocoa, the more will be the bitterness, and less will be the sugar content so try and consume the ‘darker’ dark chocolates.
Also Read: Top 5 Cafes To Visit on Your Goa Trip
