So a Valentine's Gift, These are the Benefits and Risks of Chocolate for Health!
GirlsBanget.ID – Valentine’s Day is synonymous with chocolate which is often given as a gift, girls.
Hey, who has gotten a lot of chocolate on this Valentine’s Day?
Indeed, even outside of Valentine’s Day, chocolate is a favorite food for snacking and can be one way to improve mood.
Of course chocolate has its own benefits and risks that we should know, you know!
Also Read: This Choco Bomb Recipe is Easy to Make and Can Improve Your Mood Too!
Chocolate and Happiness
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Eat chocolate
Chocolate does have more than 600 compounds and affect parts of our body, from the brain to the skin.
One of the most popular types of chocolate is dark chocolate, which begins right after the first bite.
Based on studies on humans, researchers measured the presence of brain waves after eating half a bar of chocolate or about 48 grams of 70% dark chocolate.
The further effect of dark chocolate consumption lasts for two hours after consumption.
During the first bite of chocolate, the brain chemicals serotonin and dopamine increase and change mood when chocolate is absorbed into the bloodstream; this is what brings happiness.
Chocolate contains phenylethylamine, a compound called the “love drug” because it creates brain vibrations similar to that of a person in love.
Benefits of Chocolate Based on Type
Some of us may not care about types of chocolate when it comes to taste.
However, certain types of chocolate have a better effect on the body.
Dark chocolate contains at least 85% cocoa, which specifically increases the brain chemical that makes us feel good, reducing anxiety and feelings of depression.
White chocolate also increases dopamine levels in the brain; however, the dopamine-increasing effect of white chocolate is not as effective as dark chocolate.
Consumption of chocolate also has long-term effects, for example reducing inflammation in cells, reducing blood sugar, and lowering bad LDL cholesterol levels.
Chocolate improves communication between brain cells and results in behavioral and memory benefits.
Also Read: Tired of Chocolate? SilverQueen Releases New Healthy Snack. Must Try!
In addition, consuming chocolate increases blood flow to the brain, heart, and lungs, thereby lowering blood pressure, which lasts for two hours.
This will continue when we consume chocolate regularly throughout the day.
In fact, it can inhibit digestive enzymes, which can help with weight loss and reduce food cravings, as other studies on chocolate have shown.
The benefits of dark chocolate can also be obtained from other foods.
Sweet treats also provide a quick burst of energy and good emotions, but dark chocolate is superior because it doesn’t contain added sugar.
Also Read: World Chocolate Day, Here Are 6 Interesting Facts About Chocolate. Never Been Currency!
Limit consumption of chocolate
But it must be remembered, even though chocolate also contains antioxidants, it doesn’t mean we can eat too much chocolate.
Chocolate still contains calories, sugar and fat, and too much of it can be a bad thing.
Also, the chocolate bars that are commonly found in stores often contain extra sugar.
Hence, we should choose chocolate that contains at least 70% cocoa.
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