Why Is Dark Chocolate Good for Your Health?

by Ria Patel for Top News:Dark chocolates have been claimed for long to have many health benefits. But the question why it is so healthy for heart, brain and even teeth must have crossed your mind. Now, researchers have answered that it is because of microbes present in guts. According to researchers from Louisiana State University, the cocoa solids cannot be digested without those microbes like Bifidobacterium.The cocoa solids are broken down by these microbes to ferment them and release various beneficial compounds with anti-inflammatory properties to keep body organs healthy.Researcher Dr. John Finley said, "We found that the fiber is fermented and large polyphenolic polymers are metabolized to smaller molecules, which are more easily absorbed. These smaller polymers exhibit anti-inflammatory activity".As a result of absorption of these compounds by the body, inflammation of cardiovascular tissue is lessened and so as the long-term risk of stroke.Researchers are of the belief that there may be several ways to increase the amount of anti-inflammatories dark chocolate provided by dark chocolates.For example, incorporating dark chocolates into certain carbohydrate rich foods like raw garlic and cooked whole wheat flour could be highly beneficial. Foods like whole wheat flour can't be digested by humans very well and that is why action of microbes is so necessary, as it increases anti-inflammatory output.Also, it is believed by researchers that combination of dark chocolate with solid fruits like pomegranates and acai berries would enhances the fermentation and more circulating anti-inflammatories could be produced as a result in the body.Previous researches have revealed the fact that eating moderate amount of dark chocolate with relative frequency reduces BMIs and lowers the risk of heart disease in addition to better brain health and better control over the body's blood sugar. So, health benefits of eating dark chocolates give a good excuse to chocolate lovers to eat them.