Can something that is generally perceived as unhealthy be actually beneficial to the health and wellness of not just any individual but, specifically, the elderly? Can the elderly in home care eat chocolate, dark chocolate to be more exact? The answer to these questions is yes.
Studies show that dark chocolate should be included in a person’s dietary plans because, when consumed in moderation, it offers numerous health benefits. Chocolate lovers everywhere will certainly find this news exciting because it means that they can keep munching on their favorite sweets even as they grow older. Start figuring out how to integrate dark chocolate in you and your loved ones’ meal plans as you check their numerous benefits below.
Keep your Mind Sharp
As people age, they become more concerned with keeping their minds sharp. Dementia is one of the brain disorders that affect millions of adults around the world and it is a common knowledge that exercising your brain is one of the best ways to avoid developing or slow down the development of this disorder. However, do you know that you can also combat the dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s (a type of dementia), by incorporating dark chocolate in your meal plans? Dark chocolate contains flavanol which helps promote proper blood flow to your brain. Also, it has theobromine and caffeine which improves the brain functions of elderly people who were recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
Improves Mood
Apart from tasting good, dark chocolate is also known to help elevate one’s mood. The body reacts to the natural chemical compounds that this sweet treat contains, making people happier. Phenylethylamine is one of those chemicals and if it sounds familiar, that’s probably because science states that this is the same chemical that the brain releases when you fall in love. Its presence in the body prompts the release of endorphins, which is known to be a natural mood booster. Imagine if you fall in love with dark chocolate, you’d likely be in the best mood possible.
Keeps you Away from Heart Disease
Dark chocolate contains natural compounds that protect your body from the oxidation of bad types of cholesterol. As you adapt this in your diet, over time, you will increase the chances of lessening the risk of heart disease. Dark chocolate also helps lower and regulate blood pressure. This means that with dark chocolate, you get to have your treat and protect your heart at the same time!
It’s the Cholesterol You Need
Yes, dark chocolate helps lower the bad cholesterol you process; but do you know that it also increases the amount of good cholesterol in your blood? This is extremely beneficial because the good cholesterol in your blood helps keep your arteries and, ultimately your heart, in peak condition. This is another way dark chocolate protects your heart from any future diseases.
This just shows that incorporating dark chocolate on your meal plans or simply snacking on them instead of regular chocolate or other sweets will help you in the long run. Your future self and even your elderly relatives will definitely thank you because dark chocolate isn’t just a treat anymore, it is an investment in your health as well.
Leave a Reply