Doctors often refer to LDL cholesterol as “bad cholesterol” and HDL cholesterol as “good cholesterol.” Cholesterolĭark chocolate also contains certain compounds, such as polyphenols and theobromine, that may lower levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in the body and increase levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. The findings of a 2017 review showed that the beneficial effects of dark chocolate on blood pressure might be more significant in older people and those with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, as opposed to younger, healthy individuals. The researchers found that participants who ate 25 g of dark chocolate daily for 8 weeks had significantly lower blood pressure than those who ate the same quantity of white chocolate. Nitric oxide causes blood vessels to dilate, or widen, which improves blood flow and lowers blood pressure.Ī small 2015 study investigated the effects of chocolate consumption in 60 people with type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. The flavanols in dark chocolate stimulate nitric oxide production in the body. We discuss the potential benefits of dark chocolate for these two risk factors and others below: Blood pressure Some of the compounds in dark chocolate, specifically flavanols, affect two major risk factors for heart disease: high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Regularly eating dark chocolate may help reduce a person’s likelihood of developing heart disease. improving the brain’s ability to make new connections between neurons.Processing cocoa not only reduces some of its most beneficial compounds but may also add sugar, milk, and cocoa butter, a processed form of the cocoa bean.Ĭocoa has been associated with health benefits that may include: It is important to note that cocoa loses some of its polyphenol compounds as it is processed into cocoa butter, cocoa powder, and chocolate through the manufacturing processes. That means a dark chocolate product with a higher percentage of cocoa may have a larger amount of the nutrients that deliver its benefits. The percentage of cocoa listed on the chocolate refers to the percentage of all ingredients that the cacao plant makes up.
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