Studies show that dark chocolate — when it is not loaded with sugar and saturated fat — is indeed a heart-healthy chocolate treat and more. Dark chocolate is rich in disease-fighting antioxidants. Studies show it can help reduce blood pressure and lower your risk of heart disease.
How does chocolate help your heart?
Flavonoids in cocoa have been shown to help lower blood pressure, improve blood flow to the brain and heart, prevent blood clots, and fight cell damage. They've also been shown to help thinking skills.
Does chocolate clog your arteries?
Cocoa and dark chocolate products are not only delicious but also may help ward off atherosclerosis. A study that included 2,217 participants found that eating chocolate was associated with less atherosclerotic plaque in the coronary arteries. These arteries transport oxygen-rich blood to the heart ( 52 ).
What chocolate does to heart rate?
Just 10 g of cocoa triggered a significant increase in parasympathetic modulation and heart rate variability. These combined effects can potentially increase life expectancy because a reduction in heart rate variability is associated with several cardiovascular diseases and higher mortality.
What happens to your heart when you eat chocolate?
“Chocolate contains heart healthy nutrients such as flavonoids, methylxanthines, polyphenols and stearic acid which may reduce inflammation and increase good cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein or HDL cholesterol).”
Why does my heart hurt when I eat chocolate?
Cocoa can cause the intestinal cells that relax the esophageal sphincter to release a surge of serotonin. When this muscle relaxes, gastric contents can rise. This causes a burning sensation in the esophagus.
What foods are more likely to cause a heart attack?
- Sugar, Salt, Fat. 1 / 17. Over time, high amounts of salt, sugar, saturated fat, and refined carbs raise your risk for a heart attack or stroke.
- Bacon. 2 / 17.
- Red Meat. 3 / 17.
- Soda. 4 / 17.
- Baked Goods. 5 / 17.
- Processed Meats. 6 / 17.
- White Rice, Bread, and Pasta. 7 / 17.
- Pizza. 8 / 17.
Which dark chocolate is best for heart?
“Stick with minimally processed dark chocolate bars that are at least 70 percent cocoa to obtain the most flavanols. But make sure to limit your portions.” Keep in mind that the higher the percentage of cocoa solids, the greater the amount of cocoa flavanols, but also the greater the bitter flavor.
Which brand of dark chocolate is healthiest?
- Pascha. Organic, fair trade, non-GMO dark chocolate.
- Hu Dark Chocolate. Organic, vegan, paleo, non-GMO, house ground dark chocolate.
- Endangered Species. 72% and 88% bars (panther).
- Alter Eco. USDA Organic and Fair Trade.
- Taza.
- Green & Blacks.
- Bixby & Co.
- The Good Chocolate.
What is the safest dark chocolate to eat?
- Alter Eco Dark Chocolate Bars. amazon. SHOP AT AMAZON.
- Hu Vegan Chocolate Bars. amazon.
- Lake Champlain Chocolates. Amazon.
- Lindt Excellence. amazon.
- Lily's Chocolate. Amazon.
- Bixby & Co. Dark Chocolate Bars.
- Ghirardelli Bars. amazon.
- Vosges Haut-Chocolat. amazon.
How much dark chocolate should I eat a day for heart health?
The recommended “dose” is approximately 1 to 2 ounces or 30-60g, experts say. Indulge in anything more than that, and you may be consuming too many calories.
Can chocolate cause plaque in arteries?
Chocolate Consumption is Inversely Associated with Calcified Atherosclerotic Plaque in the Coronary Arteries: The NHLBI Family Heart Study.
Is milk chocolate bad for arteries?
And those who ate chocolate more than once a week were associated with an 8% lower risk of blocked arteries, compared with those who indulged in chocolate less than once a week. “Our study suggests that chocolate helps keep the heart's blood vessels healthy,” explained study author Dr.
Why is chocolate bad for heart?
Milk chocolate contains about the same number of calories, but twice the sugar. “Overindulging doesn't do your heart any favors,” Dr. Uddin says. “Excess weight makes your heart work much harder just to do its job and increases the risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes.”