Dark chocolate = high calories? "Smart way" to eat low calories and protect your heart

Protect your heart in summer and avoid cardiovascular diseases! When it comes to heart-healthy foods, many studies have pointed out that dark chocolate is a good choice. Although everyone is worried that dark chocolate = high calories, in fact, experts point out that you might as well add some fresh ingredients to chocolate, which can not only cover up the bitterness, but also increase the nutritional value. At the same time, you can absorb nutrients from other fruits and vegetables, reduce the calories of chocolate, and eat it happily and healthily.

Dark chocolate, also known as pure chocolate, contains a higher proportion of cocoa beans. Dark chocolate is rich in flavonoids, which are very good antioxidants. 100 grams of chocolate contains about 520 to 560 calories. If you equate chocolate with "high calories", you are advised to continue reading. I remind you that choosing the right chocolate can not only reduce calories, but also promote metabolism and protect the cardiovascular system.

Eating chocolate has many benefits: stabilizing mood and lowering blood pressure

Pharmacist Zhao Shunrong, chairman of the Taiwan Preventive Health Association, pointed out that according to many foreign studies, chocolate contains flavonoids and rich magnesium, potassium and vitamin C, as well as theobromine and tryptophan. The "theobromine" it contains can indeed make people excited and has an anti-depressant effect. In addition, the "tryptophan" in chocolate can help the human body synthesize serotonin. When the body has sufficient serotonin, it can stabilize emotions. Women usually have less serotonin than men, so women are more likely to feel better after eating chocolate. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reported that dark chocolate is rich in "catechins", which have the effect of increasing blood vessel tension and can lower blood pressure.

Dark chocolate contains flavonoids that can prevent cardiovascular disease

Why can eating dark chocolate protect your heart? Pharmacist Zhao Shunrong said that according to research findings, dark chocolate is rich in flavonoids, which are very good antioxidants. Foods with high flavonoid content include all citrus fruits, bananas, ginkgo, red wine, blueberries, celery, onions, peanuts, black tea, green tea and oolong tea, which also contain this healthy ingredient. Many studies have also shown that chocolate contains flavonoids, which act as antioxidants and have many benefits for health. They can prevent cardiovascular disease and activate brain cells, help promote blood circulation in the brain, and slow down the aging rate. It also helps relieve anxiety. Chocolate also contains a variety of anti-inflammatory substances that can fight chronic vascular inflammation, prevent platelet aggregation and cause blood clots, enhance cardiovascular capacity, and maintain cardiovascular health.

How to choose dark chocolate that is good for the heart? The components of chocolate that are most likely to affect your health are calories and sugar. Commercially available chocolate often contains excessive amounts of refined sugar and saturated fat. You should pay attention to nutrition labels and choose chocolate that is sugar-free or low in sugar. You should still consume it in moderation, which will have less impact on your health.

Choose chocolate that is sugar-free or low in sugar, and still consume it in moderation as it will have less impact on your health.

Although chocolate is good for the body, it is not suitable for everyone. Chocolate also contains theobromine, which is similar to caffeine. It can make people feel excited and increase their heart rate, especially for children and people with irregular heartbeat. Theobromine may cause insomnia and palpitations, so it should still be consumed in moderation.

Adding fresh ingredients to chocolate can help reduce calories

You can eat chocolate in this way to reduce calories! It is recommended to add fresh ingredients such as raisins, cranberries, and other dried fruits to chocolate. This can not only reduce and cover up the bitterness of the cocoa itself, but also increase the nutritional value. At the same time, it can absorb nutrients from other fruits and vegetables, and can also reduce the calories of chocolate, making it enjoyable and healthy to eat.

Pharmacist Zhao reminds us that we can eat more white fruits and vegetables, such as apples, soybeans, onions, broccoli, etc., which are beneficial to protect the heart. White vegetables are rich in dietary fiber, potassium, magnesium and amino acids, as well as flavonoids, polyphenols, sulfides, soy isoflavones and other nutrients, which can help enhance immunity. The plant chemical components in major vegetables and fruits are collectively referred to as phytochemicals. Studies have confirmed that different phytochemicals have different physiological functions. They are good antioxidants that can stimulate the activity of detoxification enzymes in the body, enhance the immune system, regulate hormones, and have anti-bacterial and anti-viral effects.

【Health Tips】:

The secret to protecting your heart is to maintain a normal schedule, not stay up late, implement a "balanced diet", eat less fried and grilled food, eat high-fiber, low-fat, more fruits and vegetables, and drink plenty of water. Develop moderate "regular exercise" on a daily basis to lay a good immune foundation for the body. It can also be used to adjust bad living habits and naturally form a network of antioxidants in the body to support and strengthen the entire immune system, which will help to balance the antioxidants in the body, keeping the body young, healthy, and full of vitality, adding points to your health.