Chocolate offer wide range of health benefits, but the question to ponder upon is how the flavonoids are healthy for our bodies, especially the heart. Let us discuss a few ways.
Greater Antioxidant Protection
Oxygen has been a reactive element in several chemical compounds. It could also be inclusive of those in our bodies. Molecules that behave or misbehave are known as free radicals. Destructive molecules tend to react with healthy tissues and break them down. We would rust literally, just as oxygen breaks down iron and destroys a machine. Free radicals have been implicated in heart disease and various other ailments such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and cancer. Antioxidants would be described as chemicals that would attract and bind free radicals into stable molecules, making them harmless. Cacao offers one of the highest antioxidant levels of all food. The flavonoids in chocolate would slow down the body’s rate of aging along with keeping cholesterol in balance. In addition, the antioxidants in cocoa and chocolate might help spare other antioxidants such as vitamin C and E. It would allow them to act longer in order to fight off reactive molecules along with the devastation of natural chemical processes.
Reduction of Inflammation
A research project revealed that procyanidins, the flavonoid found in the cocoa bean, could reduce blood levels of leukotrienes. These have been the pro-inflammatory chemical. This offers positive effects on the immune system. Moreover, this benefit could assist in protecting the heart. Seeing as inflammation in the lining of the artery walls, it is believed to be part of the damaging process, which would lead to cardiovascular disease.
Relaxation of Blood Vessel Walls
Cocoa and chocolate flavonoids might protect the heart by enhancing concentrations of a chemical known as nitric oxide, which relaxes the inner surface of blood vessel walls. This would offer the effect of enhancing dilation of the arteries. It would improve blood flow and heart functioning. This function of chocolate and cocoa might assist those who have high blood pressure. A small study found that dark chocolate would help in lowering blood pressure in those with hypertension by twelve points. Researchers also claim that fifteen days of dark chocolate intake enhanced insulin sensitivity. Nitric oxide bioavailability would deeply influence insulin-stimulated glucose uptake. Furthermore, flavonoids present in dark chocolate and cocoa would increase nitric oxide bioavailability. The same study revealed reduction in blood pressure among various participants who consumed dark chocolate.
Lowers LDL – the ‘bad cholesterol’
Cholesterol levels in the arteries have been related to oxidation. Flavonoids, the antioxidants present in chocolate and cocoa might be able to protect the heart by inhibiting the oxidation of the dangerous cholesterol known as LDL. As oxidized LDL has been much more likely to result in the formation of plaque on the artery wall, it would be considered dangerous to the health of the person. Studies have revealed that as the amount of chocolate flavonoids in the blood enhances, there has been a corresponding decrease in the markers related to oxidation damage.
However, you have to choose the best chocolate manufacturing company to avail the various health benefits from the best chocolate. Lamontagne Chocolate contract manufacturing offers modern and efficient production facility for all kinds of chocolate manufacturing requirements.