Bitter chocolate: benefit or harm to the body?

Chocolate brings only pleasure or even good?Some consider it harmful products that can lead to tooth decay and completeness.Let's try to sort out this issue.

actually be said that chocolate is good or bad, you can not.It all depends on the kind of chocolate: dark (bitter) he white or milk.Normally, if we talk about the beneficial properties of this sweet delicacy, have in mind the bitter chocolate.

Bitter chocolate: the benefits for the body

One of the benefits of dark chocolate is that it helps people suffering from hypertension (hypertension).This is due to the fact that the flavonoids contained in cocoa beans, dilate blood vessels and thus reduce high blood pressure in patients.

Bitter Chocolate, the use of which is incredibly high, is also able to increase the level of good cholesterol in the body.In the cocoa bean contains stearic acid, which prevents the increase in blood levels of bad cholesterol.Antioxidants that make up dark chocolate help the body to protect against the harmful effects of free radicals - molecules that damage the cells of our body and cause changes in the DNA, lipids (fats) and proteins.

More and more evidence that antioxidants can help slow or even prevent the development of certain cancers.If you want to protect yourself from "the plague of the XXI century" - Buy high-quality dark chocolate.

benefits of dark chocolate lies also in its ability to make you happy.It contains phenethylamine which generates endorphins.In addition, chocolate increases serotonin levels in the body - the hormone of happiness.

Calorie chocolate

Seeing dark chocolate, a photo which hung on a billboard, do not run to the store for this delicacy only for those who follow the figure.We must remember that this product is fatty and high.One hundred grams of chocolate more than 500 kcal.While it includes high levels of cocoa beans and much less additives - sugar (0.2%), butter, compared with a white or milk chocolate, which contains up to 65% sugar.But it is important to note that a small piece of useful goodies will not harm the figure, but it will make you happier.

composition of chocolate

in accordance with GOST dark chocolate can only be called a confection containing at least 55% cocoa, and not less than 33% cocoa butter.Allowed to use cocoa butter substitutes (vegetable solid oils), but the number should not exceed 5% of the total content of cocoa in chocolate products.It also contains a small amount of sugar, lecithin and vanilla.Manufacturers do not need to add dark chocolate milk fat and milk.After its usefulness depends on the percentage of cocoa in its products: the higher it is, the better.If buying, only dark chocolate, the use of which is proved by scientists.Just be sure to carefully examine its structure before the acquisition.Eat chocolate and be healthy and happy, but know the measure.