Most of the chocolates available on the market cannot be called healthy, for obvious reasons. The percentage of sugar or sweetener is often much higher than recommended, which does nothing for your health.

For a long time dark chocolate has been presented as an alternative to traditional chocolate, because the fat content is much lower than in the others, the butter used is cocoa butter (instead of milk) and the cocoa percentage is much higher.

Normally, these bars have between 60% and 99% cocoa and, since milk is not used in their formulation, being replaced by vanilla or soy, the taste ends up being more bitter. Cocoa is also considered a super antioxidant.

If you want to opt for the healthiest versions on the market, pay attention to the labels and look for chocolates with more than 70% cocoa. Not only is the chocolate purer, but there are fewer sugars or sweeteners (or almost none), fat and they have far fewer calories.

In its composition are important minerals for the organism, such as magnesium, copper, iron, phosphorus, potassium, vitamins B-12 and A.

Without room for doubt, dark chocolate brings numerous beneficial actions to the body. Do you know what they are? We tell you.

Helps control blood pressure

Being rich in minerals like magnesium and flavonoids, dark chocolate can even help control blood pressure and, consequently, keep heart rates stable. In fact, this is a food advised to those who are hypertensive and there are several studies that prove the veracity of this fact. Does chocolate reduce blood pressure? A meta-analysis | BMC Medicine | Full Text (biomedcentral.com)

Reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease

In the long term, the properties of dark chocolate can prevent cholesterol from building up in the arteries, resulting in a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. What's more, the cocoa itself can even help raise levels of good cholesterol.

Good for the brain

Again, the flavonoids present in cocoa help improve blood flow to the brain, especially in young adults. According to some studies, eating cocoa can even help improve concentration, learning and memory.

In older people, it contributes to cognitive function and may even help prevent more serious conditions such as dementia.

Effect of Cocoa and Cocoa Products on Cognitive Performance in Young Adults - PMC (nih.gov)

Helps prevent diabetes

It is the flavonoids that reduce insulin resistance and improve glucose levels, two essential factors in the development of the disease. In this case, and especially for those at risk of developing diabetes, you should look for sugar-free chocolate with a high percentage of cocoa.

An ally in weight loss

Does it sound like a contradiction in terms? Perhaps, but the truth is that dark chocolate has a highly satiating effect and can therefore be a strong ally in weight loss. Of course, its consumption must be controlled and balanced. However, two or three squares will be ideal.

Protects the skin

Not only can the properties of dark chocolate protect against sun damage, it can also increase the density and hydration of the skin. In addition to this, its antioxidants can also prevent the signs of skin aging, such as wrinkles or fine lines.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

Most of the chocolates available on the market cannot be called healthy, for obvious reasons. The percentage of sugar or sweetener is often much higher than recommended, which does nothing for your health.

For a long time dark chocolate has been presented as an alternative to traditional chocolate, because the fat content is much lower than in the others, the butter used is cocoa butter (instead of milk) and the cocoa percentage is much higher.

Normally, these bars have between 60% and 99% cocoa and, since milk is not used in their formulation, being replaced by vanilla or soy, the taste ends up being more bitter. Cocoa is also considered a super antioxidant.

If you want to opt for the healthiest versions on the market, pay attention to the labels and look for chocolates with more than 70% cocoa. Not only is the chocolate purer, but there are fewer sugars or sweeteners (or almost none), fat and they have far fewer calories.

In its composition are important minerals for the organism, such as magnesium, copper, iron, phosphorus, potassium, vitamins B-12 and A.

Without room for doubt, dark chocolate brings numerous beneficial actions to the body. Do you know what they are? We tell you.

Helps control blood pressure

Being rich in minerals like magnesium and flavonoids, dark chocolate can even help control blood pressure and, consequently, keep heart rates stable. In fact, this is a food advised to those who are hypertensive and there are several studies that prove the veracity of this fact. Does chocolate reduce blood pressure? A meta-analysis | BMC Medicine | Full Text (biomedcentral.com)

Reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease

In the long term, the properties of dark chocolate can prevent cholesterol from building up in the arteries, resulting in a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. What's more, the cocoa itself can even help raise levels of good cholesterol.

Good for the brain

Again, the flavonoids present in cocoa help improve blood flow to the brain, especially in young adults. According to some studies, eating cocoa can even help improve concentration, learning and memory.

In older people, it contributes to cognitive function and may even help prevent more serious conditions such as dementia.

Effect of Cocoa and Cocoa Products on Cognitive Performance in Young Adults - PMC (nih.gov)

Helps prevent diabetes

It is the flavonoids that reduce insulin resistance and improve glucose levels, two essential factors in the development of the disease. In this case, and especially for those at risk of developing diabetes, you should look for sugar-free chocolate with a high percentage of cocoa.

An ally in weight loss

Does it sound like a contradiction in terms? Perhaps, but the truth is that dark chocolate has a highly satiating effect and can therefore be a strong ally in weight loss. Of course, its consumption must be controlled and balanced. However, two or three squares will be ideal.

Protects the skin

Not only can the properties of dark chocolate protect against sun damage, it can also increase the density and hydration of the skin. In addition to this, its antioxidants can also prevent the signs of skin aging, such as wrinkles or fine lines.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)