For many, chocolate remains a somewhat guilty pleasure associated with weight gain. However, a very specific form of this sweetness is now of interest to doctors. Several studies link its consumption to better blood circulation and a reduced risk of heart disease. Some even call it the healthiest chocolate in the world.
This is not a miracle tablet from a laboratory. But quite simply cocoa, when consumed in the right conditions. Rich in plant compounds such as
flavanols and the
polyphenolsthis particular chocolate appears to both protect heart health and calm thechronic inflammation.
It remains to understand what it looks like exactly and how to integrate it without excess into daily life.
Why dark chocolate, very rich in cocoa, is a candidate for the title of healthiest
At the heart of this potential is the cocoa bean itself.
Dietitian Whitney English, in an article published in Today, summarizes: “The more cocoa solids a product contains, the more nutritious it is. THE
dark chocolate contains the most cocoa bean solids and is therefore the most nutrient dense”.
Cocoa beans are also rich in protective plant substances, known for their anti-inflammatory and antihypertensive properties. Among them, the flavanols
promote the production ofnitric oxide. This small molecule that helps blood vessels relax and dilate better.
Result: more flexible endothelial function, slightly lower blood pressure and less
oxidative stress in the body.
What studies show about the heart and inflammation
Work on cocoa shows that
flavanols improve the function of vessels, lower blood pressure a little and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
A meta-analysis suggests around 8% reduction in the risk of coronary heart disease. And this, for regular consumption, around 45 g per week. Whitakers experts say a serving of 30 to 60 g per day is reasonable for most adults.
Researchers supported by Harvard Medical School also looked at the Kuna Indians, who drink more than five cups of unprocessed cocoa per day.
This population has low blood pressure and few cardiovascular diseases, even though their diet is very salty. Scientists see the trace of regular exposure to cocoa very rich in flavanolsclose to raw cocoa.
How to choose and dose this healthiest chocolate every day
“It’s like diving into a pool of antioxidants; This is what enjoying 100% cocoa chocolate is all about. Cocoa is full of polyphenols, substances that fight oxidative stress and have the potential to soothe inflammation.”summarized Hamilton’s Chocolatiers to the media
Surrey Live.
For everyday use, specialists recommend a
dark chocolate at least 70% cocoa, lightly sweetened and made from non-alkalized cocoa.