- salifemag
The many benefits of chocolate.
Winter is the perfect time to explore the social phenomenon of Netflix and chill, but when the weather is cold outside and the wind is howling, it soon becomes Netflix and chocolate. Binge watching your favourite TV show can become synonymous with indulging your sweet tooth.
“Chocolate and comfort have always had a connection,” explains Rajnish Ohri, VP & MD Whole Earth Brands IMEA. “When people hear chocolate, their thoughts turn to the smooth, sweet taste; however, it can also trigger thoughts of sugar and unnecessary calories. But did you know that the cocoa in chocolate also offers many health benefits? If the added sugar in the chocolate bar is removed, the benefits remain the same, which explains why dark chocolate offers the most nutritional benefits.” Canderel’s 0% added sugar chocolate bars and slabs, available in different flavours, including dark chocolate, provides the health benefits without the extra sugar and calories. With the cocoa being the main ingredient that provides the nutrition, Canderel chocolate offers a guilt free indulgence.
According to studies conducted over the years, there are many benefits that chocolate has to offer that can have an impact on our lives. The higher the cocoa, such as in dark chocolate, the more benefits there are. These benefits include:
Heart health: A study conducted by the University of Aberdeen found that people who eat up to 100g of chocolate a day are 11% less likely to have a heart attack, a stroke or other cardiovascular problems. Flavonoids, a type of antioxidant found in chocolate, can help stimulate blood flow by getting rid of free radicals in the blood.
Boost brain function: Chocolate is a natural source of magnesium, which is essential for brain health, and also includes caffeine. Both can help boost concentration and alertness. Hot cocoa, when drank daily, can also have the same affects.
Slows the signs of ageing: An antioxidant in chocolate, epicatechin, has proved to be effective in protecting the brain against the build-up of proteins that hinder normal brain function and can cause dementia. Another antioxidant, polyphenols can also rid the body of free radicals which can cause age-related arthritis.
Aids in digestion: The magnesium found in chocolate is good for the digestive system. It relaxes the large and small intestines, allowing food to move through the digestive system more easily. A study in 2011 showed that when cocoa is consumed daily it increases the stomach’s good bacteria.
Mood boosting: Cocoa polyphenols in chocolate aid in boosting the moods of those who eat it. A study conducted at the University of Swinburne found that the participants in the study were both calmer and happier.
Since the benefits come from cocoa, dark chocolate offers the most nutrition, but that doesn’t mean that milk chocolate is exempt from this. “Milk chocolate can do everything that dark chocolate does, just to a lesser extent,” comments Ohri. “However, with the added milk, milk chocolate does provide more calcium than dark chocolate.”
If you are more inclined to reach for milk chocolate over dark chocolate, try Canderel’s chocolate range with 0% added sugar. With less sugar than a regular chocolate bar, you will be able to enjoy your choice without the worry that you are putting on weight.
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