Benefits and Precautions of Eating Chocolate for Health and Beauty

Chocolate is a classic favorite snack for both children and adults. Recently, chocolate has garnered attention not only as a indulgent treat, but also for its potential health and beauty benefits. In this article, we will introduce the effects and benefits of chocolate, how to choose chocolate to maximize its benefits, and tips for consuming it effectively. We will also explain important precautions to keep in mind when eating chocolate.

The Effects and Efficacy of Chocolate | How to choose chocolate to maximize its benefits | Effective Ways to Consume Chocolate | Three things to be aware of when eating chocolate | The Bottom Line |

Great Benefits for Health and Beauty! The Effects and Efficacy of Chocolate

In recent years, major confectionery manufacturers and medical institutions have been focusing on the effects of the components contained in chocolate on health and beauty, and active research has been conducted. The expected effects of chocolate are the following five: Health support, diet, improvement of skin problems, improvement of bowel movements, and stress reduction. Let's take a look at the specific benefits of eating chocolate.

• Health support

Cocoa beans, the main ingredient in chocolate, contain a large amount of cocoa polyphenols. Cocoa polyphenols have excellent antioxidant properties that prevent the body from rusting, making them effective in preventing lifestyle-related diseases such as arteriosclerosis and hypertension. Additionally, due to their antioxidant properties, various health benefits are expected, such as alleviating allergy symptoms like hay fever and reducing the risk of stroke and heart disease. Furthermore, theobromine, a component found in chocolate, expands capillaries and improves blood flow, making it useful for health and fatigue recovery.

• Diet

The effectiveness of chocolate in dieting is attributed to its components, lignin (fiber) and cocoa protein. Both components have the characteristic of being difficult to digest and reaching the large intestine. They are effective in improving digestion, eliminating waste products, and reducing swelling. In addition, since the intake of cocoa polyphenols increases basal metabolism, it becomes easier to consume energy. By pushing out waste products and increasing basal metabolism through chocolate consumption, it can be said that chocolate is suitable for dieting. Moreover, cocoa beans have the ability to prevent a rise in blood sugar levels and suppress the accumulation of fat, which can bring the success of dieting closer when consuming chocolate.

• Improvement of skin problems

The cause of various skin problems such as spots, wrinkles, and sagging is active oxygen. Active oxygen starts to increase around the age of 20 and causes various damage to the skin. The antioxidant effect of polyphenols contained in cocoa beans helps to eliminate excessive active oxygen. Therefore, improvement of skin problems can be expected. In addition, chocolate also contains essential mineral zinc, which promotes metabolism, making it a beneficial nutrient for those aiming for beautiful skin.

• Improvement of bowel movements

Chocolate is a food that contains a large amount of lignin (fiber). Since fiber is difficult to digest, it supports the movement of the intestines and helps improve bowel movements. In addition, cocoa protein (protein) contained in chocolate is also effective in improving bowel movements. Cocoa protein has the same feature as fiber, which is difficult to digest, so it becomes a nutrient for good bacteria and improves the intestinal environment. For those who aim for health and beauty, as well as those who are prone to constipation, chocolate can be a reliable ally.

• Stress reduction

Chocolate is said to have an effect of stabilizing the mind and relaxing the body. This is due to the action of polyphenols and theobromine, which are the main ingredients in cocoa beans. The high antioxidant effect of cocoa polyphenols promotes mental stability. Furthermore, theobromine has a function of regulating the autonomic nervous system. By eating chocolate, you can calm your mind and reduce stress.

How to choose chocolate to maximize its benefits

Chocolate is a food with many benefits, not only for health and beauty, but also for our mental well-being. However, it's important to note that not all chocolate is created equal when it comes to reaping its benefits.

To fully enjoy the benefits of chocolate, it's important to choose chocolate with a high percentage of cocoa beans, which are the main ingredient. The average cocoa bean percentage in regular chocolate is around 30% to 40%.

For the best results, choose chocolate with a cocoa bean percentage of 70% or higher, which is often called "high cocoa chocolate". If you're looking for the health and beauty benefits of chocolate, this is the type of chocolate to choose.

These days, you can also find chocolate with cocoa bean percentages of "70%", "86%", and even "99%". The higher the percentage of cocoa beans, the more benefits you can expect, but also the more bitter the chocolate will taste.

If you're not used to the bitter taste, you can gradually increase the cocoa bean percentage until you find the chocolate that suits your taste buds.

In summary, to fully enjoy the benefits of chocolate, it's important to choose chocolate with a high percentage of cocoa beans, and gradually work your way up to the more bitter-tasting options.

Effective Ways to Consume Chocolate

To maximize the effects of chocolate, there are important points to consider in how you eat it.

First, it is recommended to eat it every day. Additionally, it is important to divide the consumption into several times a day and limit the daily amount to 20-25g.

This is because the cocoa polyphenols, which are responsible for the health benefits, are not retained in the body for an extended period of time. The effects of these compounds begin to take place about 30 minutes after consumption, but they only last for approximately 2-3 hours.

Therefore, it is essential to consume chocolate consistently on a daily basis and divide it into several small portions throughout the day.

A recommended daily amount is around 20-25g, equivalent to 4-5 pieces of chocolate if each piece weighs 5g.

Three things to be aware of when eating chocolate

Chocolate has various health and beauty benefits, but in order to make the most of its effects, there are three important points to keep in mind:

• Be careful not to overeat.

High-cacao chocolate contains more fat than regular chocolate, and the higher the cacao content, the more fat it tends to contain. As a result, the calorie intake can become high. Even though it's good for the body, overeating high-cacao chocolate can cause weight gain and obesity, so be careful.

• Pregnant women should be moderate.

Chocolate contains caffeine, and high-cacao chocolate usually contains more caffeine than regular chocolate. Overconsumption of caffeine can lead to fetal growth restriction. Since caffeine is also contained in coffee and green tea, it's important to be mindful of the amount of caffeine you consume per day and to limit your chocolate intake during pregnancy.

• Check the cacao content.

High-cacao chocolate, with a cacao bean content of 70% or higher, is the one that is expected to have health and beauty benefits. White chocolate and milk chocolate, which have a low cacao content, do not provide the same benefits. Additionally, regular chocolate contains more carbohydrates than high-cacao chocolate, which can increase the risk of obesity and lifestyle-related diseases. Check the product package to choose chocolate with a high cacao content.

The Bottom Line

Chocolate with high cocoa bean content has many potential health, beauty, and even weight loss benefits. However, it is important to be cautious of overconsumption, as it can lead to health risks like weight gain. To make the most of the benefits of chocolate, it is recommended to stick to the recommended daily intake and split it into several servings throughout the day. High cocoa chocolate is a convenient and enjoyable food that is easy to incorporate into daily life, containing various nutrients that can support health and beauty. Let's enjoy it while utilizing its benefits.