Dark Chocolate Diet

Dark Chocolate Diet. Health benefits of dark chocolate and Why Dark Chocolate is healthy, especially for your heart and kidneys.

Benefits of Dark Chocolate

Dark chocolate contains polyphenols. What are polyphenols? Polyphenols act as antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, anti-mutagens, anti-microbials, antivirals and antifungals. They protect DNA and inhibit the growth of unwanted blood vessels.

Go to Chocolate for Health for excellent information on caffeine and its health benefits.

The most powerful type of polyphenol dark chocolate contains is flavonol. These plant compounds have potent antioxidant properties, and are responsible for the ability to maintain healthy blood pressure, promote blood flow and promote heart health.

Dark Chocolate is Healthy

There are numerous health benefits of dark chocolate. The polyphenols have the following positive effects:

1. Help decrease Low Density Lipid-C oxidation
2. Elevate High Density Lipids
3. Promote blood vessel dilation
4. Stimulate the endothelial cells that line blood vessels
5. Improve appetite
6. Counteract anemia and kidney stones
7. Decrease blood pressure
8. Create beneficial effects on capillary permeability and fragility
9. Work in synergy with vitamins C and E
10. Lower the risk for some cancers and cardiovascular disease

Dark Chocolate Health Benefits

When selecting dark chocolate, however, select the dark chocolates with the highest level of cocoa solids (at least 70 percent); the higher the amount of cocoa solids, the more polyphenols the chocolate contains.

Nonetheless, as Pratt and Matthews recommend, you should try to limit your intake of dark chocolate to about 100 calories daily. While dark chocolate may improve digestion, improve circulation and stimulate your heart and kidneys, the key is to include it in your chocolate diet in moderation. Excessive amounts of dark chocolate intake will only lead to unwanted weight gain.

Return from Dark Chocolate Diet to 10 Healthiest Foods