1. Nutritional components in dark chocolate
If you buy dark chocolate with a high cocoa content, that product is actually quite nutritious. It contains a good amount of soluble fiber and several minerals.
A 100-gram bar of dark chocolate with 70-85% cocoa contains:
- 11 grams of fiber
- 67% RDI for iron (*RDI: Recommended Daily Intake)
- 58% RDI for magnesium
- 89% RDI for copper
- 98% RDI for manganese
Dark chocolate also has a good amount of potassium, phosphorus, zinc, and selenium.
In addition, 100 grams (3.5 ounces) of dark chocolate contains a substantial amount of other ingredients that you may not want to consume on a daily basis. All these nutrients come with 600 calories and a moderate amount of sugar. For this reason, dark chocolate is best consumed in moderation.
The fatty acid composition of cocoa and dark chocolate is also great. The fat is mostly saturated fat and monounsaturated fat, with a small amount of polyunsaturated fat.
It also contains stimulants such as caffeine and theobromine, but they are unlikely to keep you awake at night because the caffeine content is very small compared to coffee.
2. Should you eat dark chocolate before intercourse?
It's no surprise that chocolate and romance go hand in hand. This sweet treat is associated with the release of serotonin, a hormone that stimulates feelings of happiness and satisfaction, which can increase desire.
For classic aphrodisiacs, chocolate comes close to perfection. Everyone knows that chocolate contains excitants (phenylethylamine and serotonin), which are mild sexual stimulants and mood enhancers, but the benefits that chocolate provides to your sex life are not limited to that.
Dark chocolate is also rich in antioxidants and contains a high amount of caffeine, both of which can increase blood flow and stimulate sexual desire. Research shows that those who eat dark chocolate will have a higher heart rate, as well as increased brain activity similar to the experience of a passionate kiss.
However, this evidence does not mean that all chocolate has the same effect. To get these benefits, you must choose pure dark chocolate. To experience the above benefits without adding extra calories, choose the purest dark chocolate with no sugar or as little sweetness as possible.
3. Other effects of pure unsweetened dark chocolate
3.1 Anti-inflammatory effects
Inflammation is a part of the body's natural immune response to germs and other toxins. However, chronic inflammation can damage cells and tissues and may increase the risk of various other diseases, including type 2 diabetes, arthritis, and certain types of cancer. Dark chocolate contains compounds with anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce inflammation in the body.
A small 2018 study conducted on five healthy individuals tested the impact of dark chocolate on the immune system. The results showed that consuming a large amount of 70% dark chocolate affected the activity of genes regulating immune responses. However, it is still unclear how this research might be applied in practice.
In another 2018 study, researchers found that eating 30g of 84% dark chocolate daily for 8 weeks significantly reduced biomarkers of inflammation in people with type 2 diabetes. The authors of the study concluded that further research is needed to evaluate the optimal amount of dark chocolate to be used for diabetes treatment.
3.2 Insulin resistance
Insulin resistance occurs when the body's cells stop responding to the hormone insulin. Insulin resistance can lead to abnormally high blood sugar levels, which can result in prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.
A 6-month study from 2018 examined the relationship between regular dark chocolate consumption and blood sugar levels in Hispanic individuals. The research results showed that eating 48g of 70% dark chocolate daily could help reduce fasting blood sugar levels and decrease insulin resistance.
3.3 Brain Function
Eating dark chocolate may improve brain function and help prevent neurodegenerative conditions, such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.
Findings from a small 2018 study showed that the flavanols in dark chocolate may enhance brain plasticity, which is the brain's ability to reorganize itself, especially in response to injury and disease.
Powerful antioxidant source
ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity) is a measure of the antioxidant activity of food.
Essentially, researchers set up a range of free radicals (bad) against a food sample and see how well the antioxidants in the food can "neutralize" these radicals.
The biological relevance of ORAC values is questioned because they are measured in a lab and may not have the same effect on the body.
However, it is worth noting that raw, unprocessed cocoa beans rank among the highest foods tested.
Dark chocolate contains many bioactive compounds that function as antioxidants, including polyphenols, flavanols, and catechins.
A study showed that cocoa and dark chocolate have higher antioxidant, polyphenol, and flavanol activities than any other fruit tested, including blueberries and acai berries.
May improve blood flow and reduce blood pressure
The flavanols in dark chocolate can stimulate the endothelium, the lining of the arteries, to produce nitric oxide (NO).
One of NO's functions is to send signals to the arteries to relax, reducing vascular resistance to blood flow, and thus lowering blood pressure.
Numerous controlled studies show that cocoa and dark chocolate may improve blood flow and reduce blood pressure, although the effects are generally mild. However, a study in people with high blood pressure found no effects.
Increase HDL and protect LDL from oxidation
Using dark chocolate may improve some major risk factors for heart disease. In a controlled study, cocoa powder was found to significantly reduce oxidized LDL cholesterol levels in men. It also increased HDL and reduced total LDL in individuals with high cholesterol.
Oxidized LDL means that LDL (the "bad" cholesterol) has reacted with free radicals. This makes the LDL particles reactive and potentially harmful to other tissues, such as the lining of the arteries in your heart.
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References: webmd.com, medicalnewstoday.com, healthline.com
