Dark chocolate, all the properties and benefits 🆙

The properties of dark chocolate. The one with chocolate is often experienced as a love-hate relationship.

There are those who go crazy only for milk chocolate, those who consume it white, while other people are crazy about dark chocolate, and look for the purest varieties. Among the most common types of chocolate, needless to say, it is the dark one that has won it.

Produced for the first time in history in 1879 in Bern by Rodolphe Lindt, il dark chocolate has many properties and benefits that make it a unique food.

Its production takes place by mixing the cocoa paste, coming from the countries of origin, with the addition of ingredients or flavorings and, according to the EU directive dating back to 2003, the percentage of cocoa contained must be specified on the label.

Dark chocolate contains carbohydrates, fat, fibers e protein in higher quantities than milk. 100 grams of dark chocolate bring about from 500 to 600 calories, depending on the type.

The benefits of dark chocolate

According to some studies, it would appear that dark chocolate contributes to physiological process of release of endorphins, substances able to bring joy and increase good mood. Specifically, the action of the phenylethylamine it contains is correlated with the decrease in the phenomenon of trough.

An American study by Brown University would have recently highlighted that a daily dose of dark chocolate would be good for the heart and lower cholesterol, thanks above all to the action of flavonoids.

Dark chocolate would also have the ability to lower blood pressure, by virtue of the beneficial action present of the same polyphenols that are also found in red wine. And there's more: As Science Daily notes, a cup of hot chocolate would have even more antioxidants than a single serving of a cup of green, black, or glass of red wine! Quietly consume a cup every now and then in winter, even better if dark, if you also want to benefit your skin.

Rich in minerals, dark chocolate also counts among the benefits that of providing iron: a 40/50 gram dark chocolate bar contains almost 7% of it. magnesium, copper, potassium, phosphorus, zinc e football complete the set of beneficial substances.

Dark chocolate, which one to choose

For it to do well, the advice is to consume chocolate that has at least 70% cocoa. The amount of dark chocolate that is recommended to consume generally ranges from 20 to 50 grams per day.

In fact, chocolate is dark if it contains a minimum of 43% cocoa content., 28% cocoa butter and dry matter percentages ranging from 55% to 70%. From this percentage onwards we speak of extra-dark chocolate, while "pure" chocolate has a dose of vegetable fats that must not exceed 5%.

There is also the wording "bitter chocolate"Ed"extra-amaro”Which has a very high percentage of shit, between 85% and 90%.

Contraindications and risks of chocolate

In addition to the risk of running into the "Chocolate", that is, in addiction to chocolate, dark chocolate must still be consumed correctly and without exaggeration.

No to excesses in pregnancy, nursing or in case of particular illnesses. Containing allergens, allergic reactions such as food allergy to phenylalanine have been reported. Sufferers should not abuse it migraine or who is predisposed to kidney stones.

L'chocolate poisoning, Also known as theobromine poisoning is a reaction of the body to an excessive dose of the theobromine alkaloid, present in chocolate, but also in other foods, such as tea, soft drinks and moles fruits of the açaí. In these foods, as in dark chocolate, the quantity is reduced, so as to be safe for humans, who must not abuse them, especially the elderly.