We might think, “Are chocolates good? What about its high calorie content?” The idea of biting into the dark bar of chocolate is drooling but the bad name to it makes us feel guilty. Especially, when we think about elderly having those calories, we might like to avoid the idea.
Only a few of us know that chocolate is an awesome food with significant health benefits. The benefits of chocolate have come from its source, that is, cocoa beans. Darker is the chocolate, higher is the percentage of cocoa and lesser is the sugar content.
Here we give you 7 reasons why dark chocolate can be healthy for elderly:
1. Nutritious and source of antioxidants
Chocolates are good as they are rich in fiber and minerals like iron, magnesium, copper, manganese, potassium, phosphorus, zinc and selenium. Moreover, the fats in chocolates are mostly saturated and monounsaturated, with small amounts of polyunsaturated fat.
Dark chocolate is also full of antioxidants and has free radical fighting ability. Moreover, chocolates have anti-ageing properties and fight against environmental toxins by neutralizing free radicals.
2. Lowers cancer risk
Phytochemicals present in chocolate can lower cancer risk in elderly as well as young population. New research suggests that cocoa compounds, such as flavanols, may slow down the growth of cancer cells. Flavanols protect epithelial cells, increase blood flow to the skin and reduce the risk of skin cancer. So if you’re planning a sunny vacation, load up on the dark chocolate stock in the prior weeks and months.
3. Reduces heart disease risk
Eating dark chocolate regularly may reduce the risk of heart disease in elderly. Intake of cocoa improves blood flow and lowers blood pressure in the arteries. Dark chocolate also reduce insulin resistance, a risk factor for many heart diseases and diabetes. A few pieces of chocolate weekly can benefit you a lot.
4. Increases good cholesterol
Chocolates are good for elderly as cocoa in it increases high-density lipoprotein” (HDL) and decreases oxidized ‘low-density lipoprotein” (LDL) or bad cholesterol. HDL or good cholesterol keeps the heart and arteries healthy.
5. Reduces brain disorder risk
Stimulant substances like caffeine and theobromine in chocolate improve brain function in the short term in elderly. Chocolate prevents damage to nerve pathways in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. It also improves verbal fluency and help slow symptoms of cognitive decline.
6. Improves vision
Chocolate are good for your eyes. The flavanols in dark chocolate not only improve blood flow to the brain but improve blood flow to the retina as well. Thus, consuming a little amount of dark chocolate daily can improve vision in both young and elderly population.
7. Uplifts your mood
Chocolates are good for elderly feeling depressed and low. Dark chocolate contains two saturated fatty acids – palmitic and stearic acids – that uplifts mood. Chocolate is associated with the pleasure region in our brain.
A piece or two of dark chocolate after dinner can be good for you. So grab a bar of chocolate and enjoy the sweet sin to stay young and healthy.
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