Bitter chocolate: benefit or harm to the body?

Chocolate brings only pleasure or also a benefit? Some consider it a harmful product, capable of leading to fatness and caries. Let's try to understand this question.

In fact, unequivocally say that chocolateuseful or harmful, it is impossible. It all depends on the kind of chocolate itself: dark (bitter) it, white or milky. Usually, if one talks about the beneficial properties of this sweet treat, they mean bitter chocolate.

Bitter chocolate: good for the body

One of the advantages of dark chocolate is thatit helps people suffering from hypertension (hypertension). This is due to the fact that flavonols contained in cocoa beans dilate the blood vessels and thereby reduce high blood pressure in patients.

Bitter chocolate, the use of which is incrediblegreat, can also increase the level of good cholesterol in the body. Cocoa beans contain stearic acid, which prevents the increase in blood levels of bad cholesterol. Antioxidants, which are part of dark chocolate, help the body protect itself from the harmful effects of free radicals - molecules that damage our body cells and cause changes in DNA, lipids (fats), and proteins.

More and more evidence thatantioxidants 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 quality bitter chocolate.

The use of dark chocolate lies in histhe ability to make you happy. It contains phenethylamine, which produces endorphins. In addition to this, chocolate raises the level of serotonin in the body - the hormone of happiness.

Caloric content of bitter chocolate

Seeing the bitter chocolate, the photo of which hangs onbillboard, do not run to the store for this delicacy only to those who watch the figure. It must be remembered that this product is fatty and high-calorie. In a hundred grams of chocolate more than 500 kcal. Although it contains a high content of cocoa beans and much less additives - sugar (0.2%), butter, compared to white or milk chocolate, which contain up to 65% of sugar. But it's important to note that a small piece of useful treat does not hurt the figure, but will make you happier.

Bitter chocolate composition

In accordance with GOST, bitter chocolate canOnly a confectionery product containing not less than 55% of cocoa beans and not less than 33% of cocoa butter is called. It is allowed to use cocoa butter substitutes (vegetable solid oils), but their quantity should not exceed 5% of the total content of chocolate in cocoa products. It also contains a small amount of sugar, lecithin and vanillin. Producers should not add dairy fats and milk to bitter chocolate. After all, its benefit depends on the percentage content of cocoa products in it: the higher it is, the better. If you buy, then only bitter chocolate, the benefit of which is proved by scientists. Just do not forget to carefully study its composition before purchasing. Eat chocolate and be healthy and happy, but know the measure.

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