Now here are some delicious reasons for you to eat dark chocolate. Dark chocolate has come amazing list of nutrients and antioxidants in them however, make sure to eat dark chocolate that has 70% or above cocoa content in them. Benefits of eating dark chocolates for skin and hair are listed below.
Dark chocolate has lesser sugar levels when compared to milk chocolates. Hence they are a healthy choice. You may have up to 30 grams of dark chocolate a day.
The price fall between 125- 180 range. Remember dark chocolates that shows 90% and above are pure and hence does not have sugar added to them. In short, they are bitter in taste. 🙂
There are various brands that sell 60% to 90% dark chocolate like,
These are affordable chocolates priced at 125/- and are often available on offer prices. I always go for this brand.
If you can splurge a little bit more, you may choose imported brands like,
- Ambriona Uganda Single Origin 80% Dark Chocolate – Keto Friendly Vegan and Gluten Free, Buy Now
- Lindt 99% Cocoa Dark Noir Absolu Chocolate, Buy Now
Dark Chocolate Nutrients
- Antioxidants ( Polyphenol, Flavanol )
- Manganese
- Magnesium
- Iron
- Copper
- Zinc
- Phosphorus
- Potassium
- Selenium
Why Dark chocolate Is Good For Your Periods?
Dark chocolate boosts the production of endorphins in your brain. Endorphins are known as natural pain killers. Hence eating dark chocolate may help you get through the cramps.
Mood swings are part of the menstrual cycle. The pain and uncomfortable feelings may cause us to be angry or irritable all the time. The endorphins are also known as ‘Pleasure hormones’ as they help boost the feeling of happiness thereby stabilising our mood.
Stress increases the levels of the hormone Cortisol which is not a good thing. An increase in cortisol causes various health issues. Dark chocolate helps in lowering the levels of this hormone too.
The caffeine content in dark chocolate gives an energy boost.
Dark chocolate is rich in iron content too. Hence it is the perfect time to eat dark chocolates. The loss of iron in the blood may cause lower levels of oxygen in the blood. This results in symptoms like feeling tired all the time, hair fall and palpitation.
The mineral magnesium present in dark chocolate acts as a muscle relaxant and thus helps to relieve painful cramps. This mineral also works to lower the hormone ‘Prostaglandin’ that causes muscle contractions and pain.
Maintaining a healthy sodium to potassium level is important to prevent muscle cramps. The potassium in dark chocolate does help with that, thereby reducing muscle cramps.
Dark Chocolate For Skin
Dark chocolate benefits for skin are as follows,
- Improves skin texture
- Prevents sun damage
- Locks moisture for longer periods of time
- Protects from sun burn
- Neutralises free radicals and prevents premature ageing
- Reduces hyper pigmentation
- Prevents collagen breakdown
- Promotes blood circulation
- Nourishes your skin
- Helps with skin conditions like eczema and Psoriasis
- Promotes new cell growth
- Detoxifies the skin
- Lightens dark spots and marks
- Heals redness and inflammation
Health Benefits
Dark chocolate is a perfect anti ageing food that not only helps with skin and hair but also helps improve overall health. Eating dark chocolate improves heart health and thus reduces the chance of heart diseases.
They also helps inhibit the production of certain digestive enzymes which in turn results in lower food cravings. Hence including dark chocolates in a weight loss diet may prove beneficial in the longer run. 🙂
Dark chocolate increases the levels of ‘Pleasure hormones’ in the brain. The hormones that induce a happy feeling in us are Serotonin, Endorphins and Oxytocin. Eating dark chocolate does result in better mood and helps with depression as well as anxiety and stress. 🙂
- Decrease anxiety
- Helps reduce blood sugar levels
- Prevents diabetes
- Helps prevent cancer
- Aids weight loss
- Improves brain function
- Helps reduce cholesterol levels
- Curbs food craving
- Heals inflammation
- Better hair quality and thickness
- Improves skin health
- Prevents collagen breakdown
- Has anti ageing benefits
- Reduces insulin resistance
Dark Chocolate Benefits For Hair
- Increases blood circulation to scalp
- Promotes new cell growth
- Nourishes the scalp
- Treats minor scalp infections
- Reduces hair fall
- Makes hair soft and shiny
- Reduces any inflammation to the scalp
- Adds strength to hair strands
- Prevents sun damage
Chocolate Face Pack
- Gram flour/Besan – 1 tablespoon
- Curd/Yogurt – 1 Tablespoon
- Lemon juice – 1 Teaspoon
- Dark chocolate melted – 1 tablespoon
Keep it on for 20-30 minutes and then wash it off. Followup with moisturiser or sunscreen.
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