Dark (dark) chocolate: Health benefits and criticism
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Dark chocolate is packed with nutrients that may have positive health effects. Dark chocolate may reduce the risk of heart disease, inflammation and insulin resistance, and dark chocolate consumption has also been linked to improved brain function. To achieve the most maximum health benefits, it is recommended to consume 5 to 30 grams of dark chocolate daily. This must consist of at least 70% cocoa. Dark chocolate does contain a lot of fat and calories, which is why people should always take this into account when they want to add it to their diet. Finally, there are other criticisms of the potential health benefits of dark chocolate.
Nutrients in dark chocolate
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Nutritional values
Reduce heart disease by eating dark chocolate
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By eating dark chocolate regularly, it may be possible to reduce the risk of heart disease. Some of the compounds in dark chocolate, especially flavanols, lower high blood pressure and high cholesterol
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11 minMain dishpeanut oil, tofu stir-fry cubes finely seasoned, stir fry sauce sweet and sour, thick noodles, carrot julienne, beetroot julienne, yellow bell pepper, watercress,rainbow salad with tofu -
45 minMain dishRed cabbage, mild olive oil, quinoa plus, forest outing, lemon, sesame oil, soy sauce less salt, Bio Today tahini white in pot, tap water,grilled red cabbage with quinoa salad -
30 minDessertBrie, Roquefort, port salut, gruyere, Camembert, walnut, garlic, thyme, honey, grape, baguette, Red onion, red grape, raisins, Red wine, Red wine vinegar, Brown sugar,generous cheese plate with onion marmalade -
30 minDessertFull Milk, whipped cream, macaroon, custard powder, vanilla sugar, sugar, protein, amaretto, almond liqueur, basic recipe cooking pears,macaroon pastry with casserole
Improve brain function
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Eating dark chocolate may improve brain function and therefore lower the risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease (neurological disorder with tremors). The flavanols in dark chocolate may improve neuroplasticity. This means that the brain
Insulin resistance
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Insulin resistance occurs when the body cells stop responding to the hormone insulin. Insulin resistance causes abnormally high blood sugar levels (hyperglycaemia), possibly leading to prediabetes
Anti-inflammatory effects due to consumption of dark chocolate
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Inflammation is part of the body's natural immune response to germs and other harmful substances. However, chronic inflammation may cause damage to cells and tissues, which increases the risk of certain diseases, such as diabetes mellitus (type 2 diabetes, arthritis)
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5 minDrink without alcoholbananas, cool fresh apple-pear raspberry juice, Soy drink vanilla,soy fruit shake -
20 minMain dishsauerkraut, sticking potato, liquid baking product, half-to-half minced, Spice meatballs, pineapple, olive oil, liquid baking product,gratin sauerkraut dish with minced meat -
40 minMain dishlemongrass, fresh ginger, Red peppers, onions, tomato cubes, fresh cod fillet, coriander, oil, ground turmeric (koenjit), coconut milk, salt,fish in creamy coconut sauce -
15 minSide dishsweet potato, soft goat cheese, egg, spring / forest onion,stuffed sweet potato with egg
Risks and criticisms of health benefits
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Conflicting scientific results
Tips before buying
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The cocoa has often been heated to obtain a dark chocolate in bar form. However, the antioxidants in dark chocolate cannot withstand heat, which means that many nutrients are lost. It is therefore recommended to purchase raw chocolate, which consists of at least 70% cocoa. This type of dark chocolate is available in specialty stores or online. People should not process this chocolate, but eat it as a snack, because heated raw chocolate also loses antioxidants.