If the benefits of cocoa are known, Dr. William Li reveals the chocolate that he recommends to all his patients because it surpasses all others in protecting our vessels.
A comforting pleasure or a little sweet treat at the end of the day, chocolate is the favorite treat of many French people. Already known as a natural source of magnesium, this delicious square is also a true ally of the heart. But on the supermarket shelves, it is not easy to avoid chocolates that are too sweet and rich in processed fats which camouflage the benefits of the bean. How to make the right choice?
Chocolate is rich in flavanols and polyphenols, bioactive compounds that act directly on our defense mechanisms. “The flavanols in cocoa stimulate the exit of stem cells from your bone marrow into your bloodstream”explains Harvard physician Dr. William Li in a video. Once released, these cells can “repair” the tissues of the heart. By improving the flexibility of the vessels, cocoa prevents atherosclerosis and helps regulate hypertension. The impact is such that, according to the expert, “Consumption of cocoa rich in flavanols reduces the risk of cardiovascular death”. Studies even show that in heart patients, “two cups of dark hot chocolate a day for a month doubled the number of stem cells in their bloodstream”.
But be careful, even if we already know that the best chocolate for health is dark chocolate, not all are equal. “The healthy chocolate we’re talking about is really about paying attention to the details of the quality of what you’re going to put into your body”emphasizes Dr. Li. To benefit from these effects, you must choose dark chocolate with a cocoa concentration of 80% or more. This is the quantity of cocoa necessary to guarantee sufficient flavanol intake. Conversely, milk or white chocolate is too high in sugar to offer real protection. Same thing for dark chocolates with less than 70 or 80% cocoa, they are too sweet.
Another reflex: in the supermarket, it is imperative to track down the traps of the manufacturers by favoring a short list of ingredients: cocoa mass, cocoa butter and a little sugar. “If the ingredient list scares you, put it down and look for another choice with a minimal number of ingredients”recommends Dr. Li in a second video. Avoid added vegetable fats and artificial flavors. A raw product, where sugar ideally only comes in third position, guarantees a better response from your body.
Experts agree on consuming one to two squares per day (around 20 to 30 g), ideally at the end of a meal or with fruit to slow down the absorption of carbohydrates. In case of excessive consumption, especially in the evening, digestion slows down, the stomach takes longer to empty, and a feeling of heaviness sets in. If ginger infusion is the most effective remedy, it is better to avoid overdoing it. You can nevertheless vary the pleasures by using 100% pure cocoa on your dairy products or melted in recipes. The main thing is to integrate this ritual into a balanced diet.
