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Vilma Juodkazienė, food expert at retail chain Iki, shares interesting facts about dark chocolate, which will encourage even those who don’t like to try it.
A source of minerals
When choosing dark chocolate, pay attention to its composition. It should contain the least amount of artificial fat, sugar, colors and flavors possible and a cocoa content of at least 75 percent. By choosing a quality sweet, you will complement your body with useful substances.
“The more cocoa there is in a chocolate bar, the more fiber and various minerals you will absorb. Dark chocolate contains a large amount of copper, magnesium, potassium and iron, which strengthen immunity and improve memory, so if you want chocolate, it is better to choose this type. However, like other sweets, you should not abuse it and eat more than 30 grams a day, “says food expert V. Juodkazienė.
Helps maintain healthy teeth.
We’ve heard since childhood that eating too much candy will soon rot your teeth, but dark chocolate does the opposite.
“The polyphenol in this type of chocolate is a natural chemical that fights bacteria in the mouth, and tannins, which give chocolate a dark color and bitterness, have antibacterial properties that prevent plaque formation,” says V. Juodkazienė .
It can help to overcome stress and anxiety.
The distinctive smell of dark chocolate is no less significant than its taste, as it has soothing and healing properties. As a result, it is often used to create essential oils, home fragrances, or cosmetics, according to the press release.
“If you come home after a hard day at work but still feel tense and complain of fatigue, eat a piece of dark chocolate. The special smell of this sweetness helps eliminate anxiety, balances emotions and allows you to fall asleep in peace, “says V. Juodkazienė.
Protects the youth of the skin.
Dark chocolate, due to the cocoa it contains, is also known as one of the best sources of antioxidants. These substances help retain skin moisture, combat various aging processes, and even reduce the risk of skin cancer.
Changing your regular dark chocolate candy more often will help protect your skin from the damaging ultraviolet rays of the sun that dry it out and promote wrinkles. Also, chocolate sometimes helps fight skin problems like acne, “says the food expert.
It improves brain function.
Dark chocolate is especially useful for those who constantly do mental work or intensive learning, because the substances in cocoa stimulate brain activity and provide energy. A small piece of chocolate improves brain blood flow, making it easier to stay focused and memorize information after eating.
Food expert V. Juodkazienė shares a summer recipe for a banana and dark chocolate cocktail:
You will need (2 people): 2 bananas 200 ml of almond milk; 150 ml of strong prepared coffee; 100 g of dark chocolate; 2 a. š. liquid honey
preparation:
Make strong coffee and leave it in the refrigerator until it cools down. Cut the bananas, grate the chocolate and place with the honey in an electric mixer. Pour in milk and coffee, then beat everything well.
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