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Chocolate is one of life’s little treats. It is one of those foods which you are told you can eat occasionally.
Well, not anymore.
Studies have shown that dark chocolate, containing 70% cocoa or higher, has many health benefits if eaten on a regular basis.
When eaten regularly, dark chocolate can help to lower the risk of heart disease and also certain cancers.
Though it does come with these health benefits, it also contains 240 calories per serving. This means that in order to stay fit and healthy, you will also need to engage in regular exercise.
Outdoor fitness equipment can help you stay fit and healthy without costly gym memberships and give you the added benefits of being outdoors…
Want to find out more about the health benefits which come from eating dark chocolate?
Well here at Sunshine Gym we have created a list of the health benefits that you can get from indulging in this not so guilty pleasure!
Take a look below!
Dark Chocolate Contains Vitamins and Minerals
Dark chocolate is a great source of both vitamins and minerals!
Chocolate that is above 70% cocoa contains: Potassium, Copper, Magnesium and Iron…
All of these minerals have proven effects on the prevention of:
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Strokes
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Heart disease
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High blood pressure
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Type two diabetes
The key mineral which dark chocolate contains is iron. Iron is also found in many dark green foods such as both kale and spinach. Iron helps to prevent anaemia. 13mg of iron can be found in 100g of chocolate, compared to just 2.7g found in spinach.
However, 100g of dark chocolate contains a total of 546 calories, so we advise that you do not eat this amount in one sitting.
By spreading your consumption of chocolate over the course of a week you are gaining all of the minerals, but less likely to gain weight.
Reduces the Risk of Heart Disease
The consumption of small amounts of dark chocolate can reduce your risk of heart disease by a significant amount.
This is due to it’s ingredients which are known to help to restore the flexibility in the body’s arteries.
Hardened arteries are one of the main causes of cardiac arrest.
Dark chocolate helps reduce the risk of heart disease by: reducing blood pressure, improving blood flow, and preventing the formation of blood clots.
Another great way to reduce your risk of heart disease is to engage in regular outdoor exercise.
Dark chocolate reduces the blood pressure raising effects that exercise has on people who are overweight. This should therefore makes it easier for them to become a healthier weight, through both diet and most importantly – regular exercise.
Improves Mood
Many people joke about chocolate making them happy. But what if it wasn’t a joke?
Chocolate contains phenethylamine. This is a chemical which is metabolised into serotonin. Serotonin is one of the most important natural mood-regulating chemicals.
Meaning that the regular consumption of small amounts of chocolate can actually leave you feeling happier!
Good Source of Antioxidants
Dark chocolate contains a large number of antioxidants including catechins, flavanols and polyphenols.
Antioxidants remove free radicals from your body.
Free radicals cause oxidative damage to cells which is a key factor in the ageing process.
These free radicals are also thought to be one of the causes of certain cancers too!
So not only does chocolate keep you happy and healthy, but it can also keep you looking younger too.
Controls Blood Sugar Levels
Dark chocolate increases insulin sensitivity which helps to control your blood glucose levels.
Though it does have these positive effects, dark chocolate itself does contain sugar. This means that it must be consumed in moderation to experience its full effect.
Don’t forget however that although it does have these properties – Dark Chocolate is in no way a replacement for proper medical advice or expertise. Therefore if you suffer from any ailment you should always seek professional medical attention.
Chocolate contains a vast amount of health benefits. However, it should not be relied on by itself. By partnering a well-balanced diet with regular exercise you are more likely to feel its full effects.
Partner your well balanced diet with the use of Sunshine Gym’s Outdoor Gym Equipment!
By using outdoor fitness equipment, such as the Double Slalom Skier, you can have fun whilst you exercise!
With our outdoor fitness equipment and this new information about the consumption of chocolate, getting fit has never been easier…
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