Boost Your Brain Health and Immunity with Dark Chocolate
Do you want dark chocolate for a quick fix for your sweet tooth? This pick-me-up bar is more than just a treat!
Who does not like chocolates? I mean, we are all haunted by the captivating images of Kit Kat, Snicker, Twix, and Galaxy bars.
However, recent studies suggest that dark chocolate is a perfect way to satiate chocolate cravings. Besides satisfying your sweet tooth, it offers ample health benefits and helps in improving brain health and immunity.
Not to mention, it has a slightly bitter and rich taste that prevents several people from over-indulging. On the other hand, milk chocolates taste way better, and you might have to hide all the wrappers of your guilty pleasure.
What Should You Know About Dark Chocolate?
An abundance of nutrients in dark chocolate makes it a perfect treat. It is loaded with minerals, soluble fiber, and heart-healthy fats. Moreover, it possesses stimulants like theobromine and caffeine, but insignificant quantities will not make you a night owl.
Furthermore, it is high in cocoa content, and this ingredient is composed of antioxidants like flavonols, catechins, and polyphenols.
These antioxidants keep the heart healthy by lowering bad cholesterol and increasing good cholesterol, protecting cell damage, improving cognition, and reducing inflammation.
What Does Research Say About Dark Chocolate Improving Brain Health and Immunity?
Dark Chocolate and Brain Health
After searching, I came across a 2014 Italian study cited in AJCN. In this study, researchers selected ninety healthy participants aged 61–85 years. They wanted to examine the cocoa flavanols’ effects on these subjects.
These participants were divided into three groups and were given cocoa flavanol in different concentrations, i.e., 48 mg/day, 520 mg/day, and 993 mg/day.
After two months, the researchers analyzed the results and concluded that high or medium consumption of cocoa flavanols every day could significantly improve memory and attentiveness.
The question is, what is the connection of cocoa flavanols to memory? Neuroscientist Dr. Miguel states that flavanols maintain and protect the brain cell connections. Plus, it prevents inflammation and safeguards cells from toxic compounds.
In addition, the presence of stimulant substances like theobromine and caffeine improves brain function.
Another research published in the FASEB Journal (2018) also highlighted the positive effects of consuming dark chocolate. The researchers selected five healthy participants, ages 22 to 40.
Each participant had to consume dark chocolate (48g). This one small 48g bar contained 30% organic cane sugar and 70% cacao.
They measured their brain activities via electroencephalography before and after the consumption of chocolate. The results signified that the consumption of dark chocolate significantly improved the areas involved in sensory and memory processing.
Dark Chocolate and Immunity
The research cited in FASEB Journal (2018) further tested the correlation between immunity and dark chocolate. Researchers gave a similar amount of dark chocolate to five healthy subjects, ages 25 to 50, for eight days.
The researchers analyzed their blood samples and found an uptick in those white blood cells responsible for fighting disease and infection.
Moreover, dark chocolate is a fantastic source of fiber, as I mentioned earlier. A rich fiber diet helps in maintaining healthy gut microbiota. Plus, a balanced microbiota helps in maintaining intestinal immunity.
A 2020 study published in Nature suggested that healthy intestines affect immunity positively among humans.
The Takeaway
There is considerable evidence that proves that a high concentration of cacao and fiber positively affects memory, cognition, and immunity.
However, it doesn’t mean that you should start consuming large quantities of chocolate every day. Although dark chocolate has less sugar and carbohydrates, it possesses a high quantity of fat and saturates; thereby, contributing more calories.
Not to mention, opt for good quality dark chocolate that has a cocoa content of 70% or higher.
