Chocolate is not only the choice of children and young women but now it is also included in the gifts given on birthdays or any celebrations. They are available in so many attractive and different flavors that you just can't resist trying them many times. But do you know that chocolate has more benefits than just taste? We are telling you some such benefits of chocolate, knowing that you too will not be able to stop yourself from eating chocolate-
Among the many types of chocolates available in the market, dark chocolate is the best. The amount of sugar in it is very little or no, and this chocolate is most beneficial for your health.

What is dark chocolate?

'Dark Chocolate' does not need any introduction, but for those who are not aware and the question comes to their mind that what is dark chocolate? For them, let us tell that 'dark chocolate is made from cocoa beans. Dark chocolate contains 50 to 90 percent more cocoa solids, cocoa butter, and sugar than milk chocolate. Nutrients like iron, copper, flavanols, zinc, and phosphorus are found in it, which are considered very beneficial for health.

Benefits of Dark Chocolate
The benefits of dark chocolate are many, but we are telling you about some of them below. dark chocolate is not a cure for any of the physical problems covered in the article. It can only prove to be helpful to some extent in preventing these problems and reducing their symptoms.

1. Maintain Heart Health

High blood pressure, platelet formation, oxidative stress, and inflammation are known to be cardio-metabolic risk factors. At the same time, the use of dark chocolate in a balanced amount can be beneficial for the heart. According to research published on the website of NCBI (National Center for Biotechnology Information), flavanols such as epicatechin, catechins, and procyanidins are present in dark chocolate. They have antihypertensive, antiplatelet, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects. These effects found in chocolate may be helpful in reducing the problem of high blood pressure, platelet formation, oxidative stress, and inflammation combined. On this basis, it can be assumed that dark chocolate can be helpful in maintaining heart health.

2. Relieve Depression

Talking about depression, nowadays almost everyone goes through this kind of problem at some point or the other. In this problem, symptoms like change in mood, feeling sad, angry, and irritability are seen. In such a situation, dark chocolate can be helpful to avoid this problem or to fix the mood. In fact, in a study, it has come to the fore that consuming dark chocolate for three days has been found to improve symptoms of depression in some people. At the same time, in another research published on the website of NCBI, dark chocolate has also been found to be effective on the symptoms of depression. On this basis, dark chocolate can be considered useful only in the problem of depression.

3. Benefits of Dark Chocolate for Cholesterol

The benefits of dark chocolate can also be seen for the control of increased cholesterol. This is evident from two separate studies published on the NCBI website. Research shows that consuming dark chocolate containing plant sterols and cocoa flavanols along with a low-fat diet can reduce cholesterol. Along with this, improvement in heart health and blood pressure can also be seen with its use. On this basis, it would not be wrong to say that dark chocolate can be helpful in reducing cholesterol.

4. Rich in Antioxidants

Antioxidants are very important to protect the body from diseases and keep it healthy. Antioxidants can work to protect cells from damage. Antioxidant properties are found in most fruits and vegetables. Along with this, antioxidant properties are also present in dark chocolate. Cocoa has been placed in the category of foods in which antioxidants are found in high amounts. Another research has also revealed that dark chocolate is rich in phenolic compounds, which exhibit powerful antioxidant effects. Therefore, to keep yourself healthy, dark chocolate rich in antioxidants can be resorted to.

5. Protect from cold and flu

With the changing seasons, there are minor diseases. Cold and flu are also some of them. In such a situation, dark chocolate can be consumed to prevent cold and cold. Actually, dark chocolate contains a chemical substance called Theobromine, this substance can work effectively on respiratory system-related problems. These problems also include colds and colds.

6. Provide Energy

Dark chocolate can also be helpful in boosting energy. This is clear from research related to dark chocolate. The research mentions that dark chocolate contains polyphenols, which exhibit properties such as antioxidant (destroying free radicals), anti-inflammatory (reducing inflammation), and anti-obesity (reducing obesity). All these properties combined can help in providing instant energy by increasing the consumption of energy from food items.

7. Dark Chocolate for the Nervous System

Along with health, dark chocolate can also be beneficial for the nervous system. Some studies have revealed that flavonoids called catechins and epicatechin derivatives are found in dark chocolate made from cocoa beans. The antioxidant properties of these flavonoids may help protect against damage and inflammation related to the central nervous system. In addition, cocoa exhibits neuroprotective (nervous system protection) effects by increasing blood flow. In addition, this dark chocolate can also be helpful in improving mental performance.

8. Dark Chocolate for Blood Pressure

Talking about the benefits of dark chocolate, it can also be helpful in the problem of high BP. A research published on the NCBI website has revealed that dark chocolate has an antihypertensive effect, due to which its consumption in limited quantities can reduce blood pressure. In such a situation, dark chocolate can also be included in the diet for high BP.

9. Dark Chocolate for Cancer

There is no doubt that cancer is a serious disease. In such a situation, if we talk about chocolate, then it is not to cure cancer, but dark chocolate can be helpful to prevent cancer. A study on rats published on the NCBI website uncovers a possible link between dark chocolate consumption and the prevention of colon cancer. At the same time, adding dark chocolate to the diet can reduce inflammation along with the growth of cancer cells. In addition, consuming small amounts of flavonols from dark chocolate and other sources may help protect against colon cancer. However, more research is needed in this regard. At the same time, dark chocolate cocoa also contains high amounts of catechins and procyanidins, which may reduce these cancer risks by providing beneficial effects against oxidative stress and chronic inflammation. In such a situation, dark chocolate can be consumed in a balanced amount to reduce the risk of cancer. With that said, readers note that dark chocolate is by no means a cure for cancer. If someone is in the grip of this disease, then it is necessary to get medical treatment.

10. Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Talking about the anti-inflammatory properties of dark chocolate, consuming flavanol-rich cocoa can reduce inflammation. It can prevent or reduce vascular inflammation. At the same time, this anti-inflammatory property of cocoa can inhibit reactive oxygen species (ROS) i.e. free radicals, and may also exhibit the anti-hypertensive effect. However, further research is needed regarding the anti-inflammatory properties of cocoa flavanols.

Side Effects of Dark Chocolate

There are both advantages and disadvantages of eating dark chocolate, so after knowing the benefits, people do not start consuming it much, so here we are also giving information about the disadvantages of eating dark chocolate. Actually, the amount of caffeine in dark chocolate is high. In such a situation, due to its excessive consumption, the following problems can occur:-

• insomnia
• headache or migraine
• Dizziness
• dehydration
• Worry
• feel uncomfortable
• gaining weight
• rapid heart rate