Dark chocolate has the functions of protecting cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and slimming. Flavonoids in dark chocolate cocoa are antioxidant substances, which can really protect cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Cocoa butter contains no cholesterol and some unsaturated fatty acids that human body lacks, so it is a kind of high-quality oil.
Cocoa beans also contain nerve center stimulants such as caffeine and tannin, which are closely related to the color, aroma and taste of chocolate. Among them, theobromine and caffeine can stimulate the cerebral cortex, eliminate drowsiness, enhance the sense of touch and thinking, regulate the heart function, and have the functions of dilating renal blood vessels and diuresis.
Extended data:
According to the Daily Mail, a study published in the Journal of Nutrition from coimbra Institute of Technology shows that just eating a few small pieces of dark chocolate every day can lower blood pressure within one month.
The researchers divided 30 healthy adults 18 ~ 27 years old into two groups on average. One group ate milk chocolate with 55% cocoa content, and the other group ate dark chocolate with 90% cocoa content. For 30 days, members of the two groups must eat 20g every day, but they can't eat other foods rich in flavanols, such as berries, tea and wine.
30 days before the trial and 2 days after the trial, the researchers measured the participants' heart rate, arteriosclerosis degree and pulse respectively. The results showed that the blood pressure of all participants improved significantly, but the effect of high cocoa content group was more significant. The systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure of people who ate dark chocolate decreased by 3.5 mm Hg and 2.3 mm Hg respectively. The systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure of people who ate milk chocolate decreased by 2.4 mm Hg and 65,438 0.7 mm Hg respectively.
Researchers believe that although milk chocolate is also beneficial, dark chocolate with 90% cocoa content has a better antihypertensive effect, which may be because dark chocolate is rich in powerful antioxidant flavanol. They suggest that eating dark chocolate can be used as a preventive measure to improve heart health.
People's Network? Eating dark chocolate can improve blood pressure.