Chocolate is a favorite sweet from childhood. The basis of the confectionery product is cocoa butter, obtained on an industrial scale from the seeds of the chocolate tree - cocoa beans.
In the 19th century, it was sold as a hot drink in pharmacies at an incredible price, as a remedy that stimulated memory and gave a weakened body an additional boost of energy. However, people suffering from hypertension are interested in the answer to a specific question: does chocolate increase or decrease blood pressure?
The effect of chocolate on blood pressure
Many people need to know exactly how chocolate affects blood pressure in order to eat this product without fear. Despite the abundance of information on this matter on the Internet and medical reference books, the opinions of ordinary people still differ. One popular theory is that chocolate increases blood pressure. This is not entirely true. It normalizes blood pressure, and its regular use can permanently stabilize tonometer readings. The sweet treat is suitable for hypertensive and hypotensive patients. If you do not have any additional contraindications, in small quantities it will not cause any harm to your health. Quite the contrary: thanks to its numerous beneficial properties, a cocoa-containing product will have a positive effect on the internal systems of the body, and will also raise your energy level and improve your mood.
Dessert and pressure
Chocolate and blood pressure are closely related due to the composition of the famous delicacy. If you eat it regularly, it is quite possible to achieve effective, stable restoration of blood pressure levels. Dark and bitter chocolate lowers blood pressure, while dessert chocolate increases blood pressure.
Different types of chocolate affect the body differently
The low blood pressure level in hypertension persists for quite a long time, making the person feel much better. The combination of traditional drug therapy with these sweets does not involve any “conflict of drugs and chemicals”; on the contrary, it only increases the chance of a positive result.
Chocolate is good for the body and affects it in the following ways:
- reduces blood pressure;
- improves the tone of blood vessels;
- strengthens the heart muscle.
Due to the presence of caffeine in chocolate, a person experiences a short-term increase in pulse and heart rate, and blood pressure may also respond by slightly increasing. But the effect passes quickly; the person himself does not always feel it.
When consumed, the heart muscle is strengthened
Chocolate also contains the beneficial theobromine, which strengthens the cardiovascular system; this substance is an effective prevention of stroke, heart attack, atherosclerosis, and coronary heart disease. Products containing cocoa are very beneficial for the human circulatory system. Regular consumption of treats can reduce the level of “bad” cholesterol in the body, leading to the prevention of the formation of blood clots and cholesterol plaques.
However, do not forget about contraindications and the dangers of abuse of this tasty product. Dark chocolate itself is a fairly strong allergen, so before consumption you should make sure that the product is individually tolerated by your body. For hypertension and hypotension, it is important to consult with an experienced doctor before combining drug therapy and a course of “treatment” with dessert.
The consequences of excessive consumption of products containing cocoa include:
- destabilization of blood sugar levels;
- increased load on the pancreas;
- the occurrence of excess weight;
- development of allergies.
Excessive consumption of chocolate increases the load on the pancreas
In the absence of contraindications, a patient with hypertension is recommended to consume up to twenty-five grams of dark chocolate per day. A very important aspect of recovery is adherence to diet and sleep. At the same time, we must not forget about common sense and moderation in consuming “dangerous” chocolate.
How does chocolate affect blood pressure?
The effect of chocolate and cocoa on blood pressure
For those whose blood pressure is higher than normal, a cocoa-containing product will help normalize their levels, and for those who suffer from low blood pressure it will not cause harm. A sweet treat only affects high blood pressure, which is far beyond the normal range. It does not change blood pressure in people with normal blood pressure or in hypotensive people, so the latter should not be afraid of a sharp decrease in levels after consuming cocoa bars.
For hypotension
If science has proven that chocolate can lower blood pressure, what should people who have low blood pressure do? Give up your favorite treat? Not at all, and this is also a confirmed fact. The fact is that it eliminates the causes of malfunctions that occur in the body due to high blood pressure and normalizes it.
Consequently, it cannot change normal pressure levels, much less reduce already reduced ones. On the contrary, hypotensive patients can stabilize their blood pressure with a piece of chocolate weighing 20-30 grams.
Caffeine, which is part of cocoa beans, can increase blood pressure levels at low blood pressure, eliminating the symptom characteristic of hypotension in the form of a headache.
Beneficial properties of the product: why you should eat products containing cocoa
The effect of chocolate on the body has been well studied by scientists from all over the world. It is worth noting that when we talk about the beneficial properties of chocolate, we mean dark dark chocolate with a cocoa content of 50 percent or more. It is this product that contains the largest amount of useful elements, the use of which has a positive effect on the human body.
- Every time you eat a product containing cocoa powder, your body produces serotonin. It is converted from a substance called tryptophan, which is found in cocoa beans. Due to its high content in cocoa, serotonin is actively produced in the body. In turn, the formation of serotonin helps to improve mood, calmness, and cheerfulness.
- Chocolate stimulates mental activity, increases concentration and, in general, is recommended for consumption before an important test or exam, because it causes a surge of energy and increases brain activity.
- Cocoa powder products help normalize blood pressure. They are recommended for people with high blood pressure, because, contrary to the well-known myth, this delicacy does not increase blood pressure, but lowers it.
- Chocolate is taken to prevent heart and vascular diseases. It increases vascular tone, prevents the development of heart diseases and disturbances in the functioning of this body system. Heart failure can also be prevented by regular consumption of cocoa bars in small quantities.
The beneficial properties of chocolate are not limited to those listed, but they are the most important.
Does chocolate raise blood pressure or not?
There are people who believe that chocolate increases blood pressure, but there are also those who are sure that chocolate lowers blood pressure. Many people are afraid to eat chocolate, fearing for their well-being. But is chocolate really that bad? Let's figure out how chocolate affects the body . Does chocolate raise blood pressure or not?
- Black (dark) contains cocoa butter, cocoa powder above 50% and a minimal amount of powdered sugar.
- Dairy has the same composition, but with the addition of milk powder or cream. It contains no more than 50% cocoa powder.
- White contains cocoa butter, vanillin, powdered sugar, and milk powder. It does not contain cocoa powder.
What harm does eating chocolate cause?
Chocolate causes dental problems
There is no such product, the excessive consumption of which would not harm a person. Chocolate is no exception. Everyone knows that you should eat chocolate regularly, but in small portions. One of the main harmful properties of a sweet product is its sugar content. Cocoa bars promote the development of caries and are also contraindicated for diabetics and allergy sufferers. It is very important what kind of chocolate you eat. White, milky, with coconut or hazelnuts are not suitable for those who would like to lower blood pressure or improve the condition of their blood vessels and heart. For these purposes, only bitter varieties of this delicacy are suitable. Its negative effects most often appear only when overeating.
In general, if you control yourself and can stop yourself from throwing bars into yourself one by one, you will not face the negative consequences of consuming a cocoa-containing product.
Cardiologists advise
Cardiological studies have confirmed that one of the foods that can increase blood pressure is dark chocolate, as it contains antioxidants.
They significantly improve the functioning of the entire cardiovascular system, accelerate blood flow, protect the heart and blood vessels from harmful influences, increase their endurance, reduce the load on the heart muscle, thereby normalizing blood pressure.
Chocolate is recommended to be used as an aid in the fight against changes in blood pressure, without excluding the use of medications.
At the same time, cardiologists warn that excessive abuse of delicacies can be addictive and can cause excess weight, insomnia, allergic reactions and other side effects.
For example, tannin, which is part of a chocolate product, if ingested in excess, can lead to vasoconstriction and cause headaches.
Does cocoa blood pressure increase or decrease?
Probably, this question is the most important for people with high and low blood pressure. Many of them are real sweet tooths and big fans of cocoa bars. However, they have to regularly question whether they can have the cocoa powder contained in the sweet treat. The question of whether chocolate actually raises or lowers blood pressure is more pressing than ever for those who have already begun treatment for vascular or heart disease and would like to include a dark chocolate bar in their diet as a healthier alternative to other sweet treats.
If you have high blood pressure, chocolate is not contraindicated. On the contrary, it is recommended to eat it. When this product is taken orally on a regular basis, blood pressure can steadily drop by 5 or even 10 millimeters of mercury, bringing it closer to normal levels. Let us remind you that only black cocoa-containing products have this effect. Other versions of the bars do not contain enough cocoa powder, which is the key to lowering blood pressure. The cocoa content in the product should exceed 50 percent - this is when it will be beneficial for hypertensive patients to eat a few pieces of the sweet delicacy.
Hypotonics
Low blood pressure is not considered life-threatening. However, it greatly reduces people's quality of life.
Hypotension manifests itself in the form of a decrease in vascular and muscle tone, which causes increased fatigue, lethargy and depression.
Certain physical activities, proper rest and sleep patterns, and nutritious nutrition, including the necessary complex of vitamins and minerals, help to cope with low blood pressure.
A proven way to normalize blood pressure and improve condition during periods of low blood pressure are caffeine-containing and tonic drinks (coffee, tea, ginseng, eleutherococcus, lemongrass, ginseng).
Along with them, dark dark chocolate or hot chocolate (cocoa) is an indispensable aid in increasing blood pressure.
Thanks to the high content of tryptophan, which turns into serotonin (the hormone of joy), the overall well-being of a person improves and performance increases.
With low blood pressure, drinking dark chocolate slightly and briefly raises blood pressure; its effect is equivalent to the effect of a cup of coffee on blood pressure.
Low blood pressure can be the result of stress and troubles. In this case, the chocolate treat will have a positive effect: it will invigorate, lift your spirits, improve vascular tone and patency.
Chocolate bars are not only a favorite treat for children and adults; with moderate and constant use, it can bring invaluable benefits to the human body.
Dark chocolate improves a person’s positive mood and helps overcome depression, which is the main criterion in the fight against blood pressure surges.
Due to the increased iron content, it increases hemoglobin, and magnesium reduces the risk of arrhythmia.
But people with low blood pressure still should not use chocolate as a remedy for raising blood pressure. It will not replace medications. This is only an addition to the prescribed treatment.
The benefits of dark chocolate
The question of what benefits dark chocolate has, whether it increases or decreases blood pressure, is often asked by lovers of milk or white chocolate. Dark tiles also have their fans, but not everyone likes them because of their bitter taste. However, this is the product that will be useful and is used to treat hypertension and cleanse blood vessels. It is used in the prevention of vascular disease and heart disease.
The beneficial properties of dark chocolate are a direct consequence of the high content of grated cocoa in its composition. The white product contains cocoa butter, but does not contain cocoa powder itself. That is why the dark version of this delicacy is used for the treatment and prevention of diseases. Cocoa powder contains flavonols. They normalize blood pressure and optimize metabolic processes. It is thanks to their presence in chocolate that this product is suitable for consumption by hypertensive patients.
What kind should I use?
We tried to answer the question: how does chocolate affect blood pressure, however, it should be borne in mind that the confectionery industry produces a wide range of products. Today, several types of chocolate are known and the most common are bitter, white and milk. Let's take a closer look at how they differ, what effect they have on pressure, and which type should be preferred.
Bitter, black or dark
According to experts, the bitter variety can bring blood pressure back to normal. It is especially recommended to include it in the diet of people with various types of diseases of the cardiovascular system.
People suffering from high blood pressure should be careful when choosing, giving preference to a black or bitter product.
Beneficial features
- reduces the risk of diabetes;
- improves blood circulation;
- activates mental activity;
- does not harm the graceful figure;
- source of good mood;
- has a calming effect;
- reduces cholesterol levels;
- counteracts the risk of developing diabetes;
- increases performance and endurance to stress.
Also read: how does blackcurrant affect blood pressure?
Lactic
The main difference between this type and its analogues is its high fat content, due to the dairy products included in the composition. According to experts, it is less valuable, since the low percentage of cocoa also reduces the amount of nutrients for which cocoa beans are famous. Basically, the milky variety is used as a delicacy that allows you to relieve nervous tension, relax and enjoy the taste.
Beneficial features
Substances included in the composition | Impact on the body |
Tryptophan | temporary analgesic effect |
Serotonin | improves mood, saving from depression |
Caffeine | gives energy, helps to concentrate, optimizing blood circulation in the brain |
Theobromine | |
Bioflavins | protect body cells from damage and promote their renewal |
Flavonoids | reduce the formation of insulin, preventing the risk of developing diabetes |
White
White chocolate contains cocoa butter, milk and sugar. Lecithin is used as a thickener, but cocoa powder is completely absent. Let's look at the substances that make up white chocolate and their effect on the body.
Vitamin E | reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases |
Fatty acid | prevent the development of diabetes |
Vitamin K | promotes maximum calcium absorption |
Selenium | increases the body's resistance to infectious diseases |
Methylxanthine | necessary for asthmatics and people with other lung diseases |
Caffeine | has an analgesic and rejuvenating effect, optimizes blood circulation in the brain, |
Tianin | stimulates wound healing |
A large number of useful substances allows the use of white chocolate in cosmetology:
- as masks for dry and inflammatory skin;
- for acne;
- as a camouflage agent for visible skin defects.
Doctors recommend: for hypertension, give preference to a product with a lower cocoa content. In this regard, white and milk chocolate have advantages.
Recommendations for choosing treats for hypertensive patients
If you have high blood pressure, this is one of the good remedies to lower your blood pressure. It is extremely difficult to choose the right product that suits your taste and quality. You just need to follow a few simple rules and you can easily find something you like.
Chocolate with 75% cocoa content
- Choose only black cocoa containing product. Bitter cocoa bars are exactly what you need. If you have hypertension, milk or white chocolate is not suitable for you - the cocoa powder content in them is too low, and your health may worsen.
- Choose a product that contains cocoa powder and cocoa butter, with no additional ingredients. The presence of additional ingredients in the treat reduces the therapeutic effect of the bar. The composition should not contain any other oils or fats.
- It is recommended to choose a product with a high powder content. Any chocolate with a cocoa percentage greater than 50 percent will do. However, if you can choose between 50 percent and 75 percent sweetness, choose the latter.
- The tiles should not contain artificial additives. For example, marmalade or caramel in most cases will not pass the naturalness test. But nuts, dried fruits, cinnamon or vanilla are quite suitable.
Choose only chocolate that meets the stated criteria. It will act as a treatment for hypertension while you enjoy its pleasant sweet taste.
When should hypertensive patients with high blood pressure not eat chocolate?
In addition to chronic hypertension, chocolate should not be consumed for a number of other diseases:
- allergy to cocoa beans;
- diabetes;
- pancreatic diseases;
- regular headaches;
- tachycardia.
Thanks to the beneficial properties of dark chocolate, it can be consumed even if you are overweight, because it improves metabolism. But you should not abuse this opportunity: the sugar contained in the bar is a carbohydrate that slows down the process of losing weight.
Is it contraindicated for hypotensive patients?
Hypotonic people wonder whether chocolate is contraindicated for low blood pressure. The clear answer to this question is no. Those who suffer from low blood pressure can also spend time eating the treat. It does not raise, but lowers the pressure, but there will be no harm from it. If you are wondering whether cocoa increases blood pressure during hypotension, then the answer will also be negative. A cocoa product cannot sharply increase or decrease blood pressure, since its beneficial properties only apply to pathologically high blood pressure. If you find out that you suffer from hypotension, dark chocolate should not be one of the foods you want to remove from your menu. On the contrary, cocoa bars improve your mood and make a great snack during the workday or between classes.
Chocolate for hypertension
However, sweet treats are contraindicated to consume in large quantities in case of vegetative-vascular dystonia. It is especially not recommended to eat it at night. Excitation of the nervous system and cerebral cortex may increase, which can lead to negative consequences for your body.
In general, if you have hypotension, you can and should eat cocoa products. The main thing, as with everything, is not to overdo it with their quantity. If it is necessary to change the tonometer readings upward, there are other products that increase blood pressure.
Normalizing blood pressure with chocolate
The process of lowering blood pressure with the help of sweets occurs as follows:
- Due to an increase in the concentration of bioflavonols, the synthesis of nitric oxide increases.
- Nitric oxide acts on the walls of capillaries, which are capable of producing substances with hypotensive properties.
- When blood pressure levels deviate from the norm, increased synthesis of substances that normalize blood pressure begins.
It turns out that chocolate and high blood pressure are interrelated things.
Sweet help for hypertensive patients
Chocolate is very useful for people with high blood pressure. If you take it regularly in small quantities, your blood pressure will soon return to normal. Sweet cocoa bars, the amount of sugar in which should be as small as possible, are consumed for high blood pressure or chronic symptoms of hypertension. It helps reduce blood pressure due to the presence of special compounds that clean blood vessels. It lowers blood pressure only at abnormally high levels, so those whose blood pressure is within the normal range do not have to worry about a sharp drop in blood pressure. In addition, cocoa contains many other beneficial elements. Magnesium, for example, improves heart function. Sodium and potassium even out the frequency of its contractions, and iron raises hemoglobin.
However, we must remember that cocoa product in large quantities is far from the best remedy when you are being treated for a hypertensive crisis. Along with coffee, cheese and other products, many pieces containing cocoa can negatively affect your body. Remember that everything needs moderation.
Consultation with your doctor
People suffering from high blood pressure should consume no more than 25 grams of chocolate per day. But even these 25 grams will be a good long-term assistant in the treatment of hypertension, especially in combination with comprehensive treatment prescribed by a doctor. In any case, we recommend that you contact your doctor, who will tell you for sure whether it is advisable to consume cocoa in your particular case, based on your medical history and individual characteristics of the body.
Choosing the right chocolate
Let us remind you that in order to achieve a therapeutic effect for hypertension and lower blood pressure, you do not need to eat any chocolate that contains more than 70% of grated cocoa and cocoa powder. The more it is, the healthier the product and the smaller the daily portion. You need to pay attention to other components of chocolate.
A quality product should not contain:
- vegetable fats, except cocoa butter;
- flavorings other than vanillin or lecithin;
- artificial colors;
- fillers.
From the point of view of fighting hypertension, all adults can enjoy good quality chocolate. Eat it regularly, but little by little.
We will talk about the most popular and delicious dish. Chocolate is delicious, but is it healthy? Nutritionists say that consuming this product negatively affects the condition of teeth. But the effect on blood pressure is better known. Let's find out whether chocolate increases or decreases blood pressure. Along the way, we'll dispel a few myths about bitter and dark tiles. Let's analyze the opinion of scientists and studies of the effect of this product on the human body.
General properties of chocolate
Any chocolate is made from cocoa beans and their components. The treat may contain crushed cocoa, its butter or powder.
If we do not take into account the additives used in the form of fillers, then we can distinguish 3 main types of chocolate:
- Black or bitter. The most useful type, especially if the cocoa content exceeds 72%. It contains a minimal amount of sugar and this delicacy has a positive effect on the body if you eat chocolate within normal limits.
- White. Often a lot of cocoa butter is used, but there is no powder or crushed cocoa at all.
- Lactic. Contains about 50% cocoa.
The last two types of product contain a lot of sugar, which negatively affects the cardiovascular system.
The properties of the product can have an invigorating effect for humans, since cocoa contains tryptophan, which improves the production of serotonin. This hormone is responsible for a positive mood and can relieve people from worry and anxiety. Due to this, many people like to eat chocolate in winter, when there is little heat and the days are very short. Dark chocolate also contains vitamins and many microelements, including potassium, calcium and phosphorus.
General properties of the famous delicacy
Let us immediately note that the positive properties of the tiles are observed with constant and moderate use. For example, 5-10 grams of bitter or dark chocolate every day. The allowed daily dose is up to 15-20 grams.
Scientists for more than one generation have been analyzing the effect of cocoa bean products on the human body. There is some debate about whether chocolate raises blood pressure. This is not an easy sweet. In addition to sugar, it contains natural ground cocoa beans and cocoa butter. By the way, filled milk contains stabilizers, preservatives, and colorings.
Improvements with moderate consumption of treats:
- the level of “bad” cholesterol in the blood decreases;
- concentration of attention increases;
- performance increases;
- mood improves;
- normalizes hormonal levels;
- Depression decreases;
- fatigue is relieved;
- night sleep is normalized.
Eating chocolate for hypertension
It is difficult for those with a sweet tooth with hypertension to give up indulgence in confectionery. Does a treat increase or decrease blood pressure? Neither one nor the other. The treat normalizes blood pressure at the first symptoms of hypertension. The effect of chocolate on blood pressure during hypotension is the same. For low blood pressure and rare headaches, a dose of treat relieves pain.
But if you have high blood pressure, it is prohibited to treat yourself with sweets. You cannot refuse medications prescribed by your doctor. Is it dangerous.
Does your blood pressure not exceed 140? Stage 1 or 2 hypertension is present. You can easily consume 15-20 grams of dark chocolate 2-3 times a week. If your blood pressure is higher, eat the food less often – once a week.
Attention! In case of chronic hypertension and frequent surges in blood pressure, the use of products made from cocoa beans is prohibited. In this case, it makes no difference whether dark chocolate increases or decreases blood pressure. Even a small piece of chocolate increases blood pressure in chronic hypertension. May provoke a hypertensive crisis.
Variety selection
For people with diagnosed hypertension, you should know some rules for choosing chocolate, or rather its variety.
To do this, it is important to consider the following:
- The bitter product contains a minimal amount of fat and a lot of cocoa. Due to the composition, blood pressure is normalized and the risk of developing atherosclerosis is reduced.
- You should take into account the characteristics of your body before consuming the treat. If you are obese or just a few extra kilos of weight, then you can consume no more than 25 grams per day.
- For stable normalization of blood pressure, you should use only a dark chocolate bar and avoid the use of milk or white varieties.
- You can melt the treat and drink a hot drink, but it is important to make it from natural raw materials and not use powders. Otherwise, a lot of sugar, fats and cholesterol enter the blood.
You also need to know the distinctive features of each variety:
- Black. Able to reduce high blood pressure and bring it back to normal. It can be used by both hypertensive and hypotensive patients. The composition contains a minimum of fat and a large amount of useful substances that will have a positive effect even when used externally. You are allowed to eat up to 100 grams of product per day, but the weight can be adjusted based on the characteristics of the person. For hypertension, it can quickly reduce blood pressure.
- Lactic. The composition contains up to 50% cocoa beans, after consumption the effect is almost similar to the dark variety, but this type is not suitable for people who are obese or prone to weight gain. It is the milky appearance that can significantly enhance the production of the happiness hormone.
- White. The variety is often used for skin rejuvenation in cosmetology. The bottom line is that masks are made from it for dry skin types, because white chocolate contains fats and does not contain cocoa. The product can be addictive, after which the pulse and blood pressure begin to increase, a rapid increase in body weight occurs, and caries develops in a short time.
As you can see, the most useful bitter, dark variety, the main thing is to eat it in moderation, then the delicacy will benefit.
Hypotension and chocolate
IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW!
In 90-95% of people, high blood pressure develops regardless of lifestyle, being a risk factor for diseases of the brain, kidneys, heart, vision, AS WELL AS HEART ATTACKS AND STROKES! In 2020, scientists discovered a relationship between the mechanisms of increasing blood pressure and blood clotting factor. Read more "
For those who suffer from low blood pressure, it is also recommended to eat a treat periodically. True, you need to eat only those varieties that contain at least 75% cocoa, otherwise there will be no improvement in your condition and normalization of blood pressure in a short time.
A serving of Coca-Cola is considered an equally effective remedy for hypotension. It is enough to drink 200 ml of soda to quickly tone up the vascular system. The effect appears due to the high sugar and caffeine content.
You can even use white and milky sweets for hypotension to improve your condition. The main thing is that there are no contraindications for them.
Choosing the right chocolate
Positive qualities are inherent exclusively in bitter and dark tiles (generally called “black”). No milk, pastry or filled bars. When choosing a treat, focus on the percentage of cocoa content. This is the dry residue of cocoa beans and cocoa butter. The best options are:
- 65%;
- 75%;
- 85%;
- 99%.
High-quality food has a high price. Sometimes you have to pay up to 95 rubles for a 72 gram tile. Cheaper options contain vegetable fats and a lot of sugar. The benefit is sharply reduced.
Pay attention to the signs of quality tiles:
- when breaking, a clear crack is heard;
- pieces do not melt at room temperature;
- the delicacy slowly melts in the mouth;
- There is no white coating on the surface of the tiles.
Benefits of the dark variety
There has already been a lot of research done on dark chocolate and its effects on humans. Therefore, there are many versions about the benefits of the product. Thus, it is often used for external use. In melted form, the product is applied to the body for a healing massage. This procedure allows you to get rid of body fat and cellulite.
In Boston, scientists have proven that if a person eats up to 50 grams of delicacy per day, a gentle decrease in blood pressure begins and the blood is cleared of cholesterol. Even with diabetes, sugar levels can normalize, but with such a diagnosis, sweets must be used carefully.
Since the time of Christopher Columbus, hot chocolate has been used not for pleasure, but to treat hypertension and lower blood pressure. True, at that time the taste was significantly different from the modern one, since it contained a lot of spices.
In the modern world, sweets contain a lot of theobromine and polyphenols, which can reduce the likelihood of developing coronary disease or atherosclerosis. Doctors advise including 20-30 grams of sweets in the diet of people of retirement age to prevent the development of stroke and heart attack.
Which to choose?
Chocolate is made from cocoa bean powder with the addition of cocoa butter. At least, this is the recipe our ancestors prepared it according to. As the treat spread throughout the world, spices began to be added to it, and later sugar, which further popularized the sweetness.
Widespread production of “chocolate” confectionery products leads to the fact that the content of cocoa powder and natural cocoa butter “at the output” may not even reach 20%, which does not allow us to talk about the benefits of the product, but in fact, a bar made from natural ingredients is natural medicine. We are, of course, talking about a product with a high cocoa content - from 70% and above. This is the one you need to buy!
Attention! If you want to get the maximum benefit from chocolate, then watch what its composition is. The presence of flavorings, flavor enhancers and additives characterizes it as unhealthy.