A new year is upon us, and like many people, you might be thinking about turning over a new leaf.
Waking up at 6 each morning to run a few miles. Quitting coffee or cigarettes. Or maybe even better.
To which we say: Have you tried our dark chocolate, Bucks County?
We’re not asking that to tease you. The fact is, dark chocolate has numerous health benefits. Read on to learn more.
1. Dark chocolate is nutritious
At least it is when you find good quality dark chocolate with a high level of cocoa. A 100-gram bar will give you 11 grams of fiber and significant amounts of important minerals like iron, magnesium, copper and manganese.
You’ll also get plenty of potassium, zinc, and selenium…along with a lot of calories. So while dark chocolate is nutritious, we’re not saying you should have it for breakfast every morning. Eating 100 gram bar of chocolate that gives you all those nutrients means eating 600 calories, along with whatever sugar the chocolate maker put into their recipe.
2. Dark chocolate may prevent heart disease
Dark chocolate contains compounds that may prevent cholesterol from collecting in the arteries, leading to a lower risk of heart disease.
One study at the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment in the Netherlands looked at 470 older men and found that consuming cocoa reduced the risk of death by heart disease by an amazing 50 percent over a 15 year period.
3. Dark chocolate contains antioxidants
Dark chocolate and cocoa contain a wide range of powerful antioxidants, more so than some noted antioxidant-rich foods like blueberries. Antioxidants are important because they protect against free radicals, molecules that may contribute to cancer, heart disease and other illnesses.
4. Dark chocolate could protect against the sun
The flavanols in dark chocolate can guard against sun damage, boost blood flow to the skin and make your skin more hydrated, according to a German study from 2006.
A second study held at the London University of the Arts’ School of Management and Science three years later 2009 found that eating flavanol-rich chocolate can “be effective at protecting human skin from harmful UV effects.”
5. Dark chocolate can improve brain function
Are you still not convinced about the health benefits of dark chocolate, Bucks County? In addition to everything we’ve mentioned so far, it may also be able to improve brain function.
A study at the University of Nottingham in England showed that volunteers who consumed high-flavanol chocolate for five days had improved blood flow to the brain.
And an Italian study found that cocoa may substantially improve cognitive abilities in older people with mental impairments, while also potentially boosting verbal fluency.
There you have it: five very good reasons to consume dark chocolate, Bucks County and Philadelphia area chocolate lovers.
Besides, it just tastes good, especially when it comes from expert chocolate makers like the ones at Stutz. Visit us at one of our stores or browse online to find the chocolate of your choice. And have a safe, happy and healthy 2020!