Why Should You Eat More Chocolate from the Hamper Emporium?
Author: Nicole Adler Date Posted:22 March 2016
Chocolate has been a favourite treat for many people over the years. Many see chocolate as a sinful snack, but researchers have shown that chocolate can provide benefits for your health. This means that the chocolate hampers on the Hamper Emporium can provide you more than a nice selection of chocolate to eat. If you have been curious about the health benefits of chocolates and our chocolate hampers, be sure to read on!
Dark Chocolate Vs Milk Chocolate
Out of all chocolates in our chocolate hampers, dark chocolates have proven to be the most beneficial for your health. Dark chocolate is packed with nutrients that can have a positive impact on your well-being and your health in general. If you want to take advantage of the health benefits below, be sure to get one of our chocolate hampers today!
Great Nutritional Value
The dark chocolate in our chocolate hampers has a tremendous nutritional value. 100 grams of dark chocolate with a cacao content of at least 70% contains 11 grams of fibre, potassium, phosphorus, zinc and selenium. To top it off, dark chocolate also contains high percentages of RDA (Recommended Dietary Allowance) for iron, magnesium, copper and manganese.
Contains Powerful Antioxidants
Dark chocolate contains powerful antioxidants that can help to fight free radicals in the human body. These powerful antioxidants come from the organic substances in dark chocolate, for example polyphenols, flavanols and catechins.
To understand the power of the antioxidants in dark chocolate, we need to look at free radicals. Free radicals are formed in the human body through so-called natural human physiological processes and our environment. They are groups of atoms with an unpaired electron, which makes the molecule very reactive. The most dangerous amongst free radicals are the oxygen free radicals, which have been connected to cancer, skin inflammation and cellular damage.
A piece of dark chocolate can help to disarm dangerous antioxidants and reduce the chances of free radical associated illnesses. In conclusion? We should all have dark chocolate in our kitchen cupboards!
Lowers Blood Pressure and Promotes Blood Flow
One of the antioxidants in dark chocolate, flavanol, has the ability to stimulate the lining of our arteries, better known under the scientific name endothelium. The endothelium is very important for our blood pressure and blood flow, since it is responsible for the production of Nitric Oxide.
Nitric Oxide is a gas that will tell your arteries to relax, subsequently lowering the resistance to blood flow. By promoting better blood flow through the body, Nitric Oxide has the ability to lower your blood pressure.
Research has shown that dark chocolate can have a mild effect on this process. Even though the effects of dark chocolate are not as dramatic as taking blood pressure reducing medication, it can be an additional option for people who suffer from high blood pressure regularly.
Protects LDL Against Oxidation and Raises HDL
Studies have shown that the consumption of dark chocolate dramatically reduces oxidised LDL cholesterol. Even though LDL is an essential fat for the human body, low-density lipoprotein cannot dissolve into our blood and is carried throughout the body by protein.
People who have a high amount of LDL in their body are more prone to cardiovascular disease, so it is recommended to keep LDL levels below 100 mg/dL. A higher level of LDL increases the chances of oxidised LDL, which can cause inflammation of the arteries and increase the risk of a heart attack, stroke or arteriosclerosis.
Given the fact that dark chocolate contains powerful antioxidants, it can disarm the free radicals that react with LDL and prevent them from turning into the dangerous form of low-density lipoprotein – oxidised LDL. The ability of dark chocolate to disarm free radicals is therefore related to the health of your heart and your resistance to cardiovascular disease.
Reduced Risk of Heart Disease Long Term
Eating dark chocolate does not only have an effect on your cardiovascular health short term, it protects your hearts and arteries long term as well. Research has shown that the consumption of dark chocolate leads to less cholesterol build-up in the arteries over time, subsequently reducing the chance of heart disease long term.
A study of 470 elderly men has shown that the consumption of dark chocolate reduced their risk of cardiovascular death by an astonishing 50% over a period of 15 years! For that reason, dark chocolate is no longer a sinful snack, it can be a helpful tool to keep your cholesterol levels and cardiovascular health in check.
Protects Your Skin Against the Sun
One of the most powerful antioxidants in dark chocolate, flavanol, can also protect our skin against sun damage. Flavanol has shown to improve the blood flow to the skin, increase skin hydration and skin density. This means that dark chocolate can be a great addition to your diet during the hot summer months. If you struggle with dehydration or sunburn during the summer, simply add a little piece of dark chocolate to your daily routine. However, it is still important to consume plenty of water and use the necessary sun protection.
Chocolate Is Good for the Brain
Dark chocolate with a high level of flavanol also delivers benefits for the brain. The reason for its brain benefits can also be found in the increase of blood flow, considering flavanol has the ability to increase blood flow to the brain. Consuming dark chocolate can therefore be beneficial for the cognitive functioning of elderly people as well as people with a mental impairment.
The consumption of dark chocolate also has benefits for the brain short term, considering the fact that dark chocolate also contains substances such as caffeine and theobromine. These substances improve the brain function short term and can have a positive impact on your ability to concentrate.
Where Can I Find Chocolate Hampers with Dark Chocolate?
Considering the multitude of health benefits related to dark chocolate, the Hamper Emporium has included plenty of dark chocolate in their chocolate hampers. Simply head over to our catalogue with chocolate hampers and pick your favourite christmas gift baskets australia to benefit from dark chocolate as well!
