Doctors have given all those with a sweet tooth an extra reason to rejoice – they have conducted a long study on how chocolate is good for health. Chocolate contains a huge amount of substances that have a beneficial effect on health. This is reported on the website of the US National Center for Biotechnology Information.
According to experts, first of all, it contains hormones responsible for mood – serotonin, endorphin, and dopamine (the so-called “happy hormone”).
“Chocolate can interact with some neurotransmitter systems, such as dopamine, serotonin, and endorphin (found in cocoa and chocolate), which help regulate appetite and improve mood,” the study says.
According to scientists, raw cocoa is extremely beneficial for the heart. It contains flavanols, a plant compound that is believed to improve blood circulation in the heart, reduce blood pressure and inflammation, and even lower cholesterol levels.
In addition, chocolate can increase brain activity thanks to caffeine and theobromine, which are natural stimulants. At the same time, experts advise being careful when choosing chocolate – the less sugar in the bar, for example, in bitter or dark, the lower the likelihood of a sharp deterioration in health after a drop in blood sugar.