Dark Chocolate Health Benefits & What to Match It With

Dark chocolate is made with cocoa butter and solids without the butter or milk you'll typically find in milk chocolate. The chocolate is extra dark with a perfect combination of sweet and bitter tastes. But beyond being a treat to taste buds, what is dark chocolate good for?

Not only is the chocolate a creamy, rich, and astringent delicacy that melts in your mouth, but it's also highly nutritious. This dark cocoa fusion has grown popular as people continue discovering the multiple health benefits of dark chocolate. It's a rich source of minerals and antioxidants that has less sugar than other chocolates.

Are you wondering why is dark chocolate good for you? Read on to learn about dark chocolate health benefits.

Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate

The primary ingredient for dark chocolate is cocoa powder, which is present in high quantities. Cocoa is rich in theobromine and flavonoids. Theobromine lowers blood pressure levels and promotes concentration. On the other hand, Flavonoids decrease oxidative stress and reduce inflammation in the body.

Regularly eating dark chocolate in moderate portions can significantly improve your skin's elasticity, thickness, and hydration, giving you a youthful glow. The flavonoids are a hydrating component. Their anti-inflammatory effects also accelerate your skin's healing process for conditions like eczema and psoriasis.

Why is dark chocolate good for you?

Dark chocolate health benefits also extend to valuable minerals and vitamins. It contains high magnesium, zinc, potassium, copper, and iron levels. A 30g serving of dark chocolate provides nearly 25% of your daily magnesium requirements. Chocolate is also known for fatty acids that can lower your cholesterol levels which reduces the risk of heart disease.

Potassium regulates your body's water-electrolyte balance, which is essential for proper heart functions. Copper enhances your blood formation and the general functioning of the nervous system. The antioxidants in dark chocolate also protect your cells from antioxidative stress, which prevents cancer, heart disease, and all other degenerative diseases. They also help by reflecting the harmful UV rays from the skin, preventing sunburn, premature aging, and skin cancer.

Eating dark chocolate can also improve your mood because it increases your brain's production of serotonin, the happy hormone that reduces stress levels.

Now you know why is dark chocolate good for you and why you should add it to your diet.

Pairing Dark Chocolate with Delicious Combinations

The benefits of eating dark chocolate are best experienced by having moderate but regular portions of dark chocolate. To maintain consistency, consider a dark chocolate pairing. This is because the contrast in flavors brings out the sweet, bitter taste best. But what goes well with dark chocolate?

While coffee is not an ingredient in dark chocolate, the two have profiles that complement each other naturally. Dark chocolate has significant coffee undertones and pairs well with bold coffees such as an Italian roast. Serve your coffee with small dark chocolate chunks.

Dark chocolate pairs perfectly with sweet fruits since its bitter bite neutralize the sweeter fruits. Pair it with citrus fruits for an edgy explosion of taste. If the sweet side of dark chocolate overwhelms your palette, cheese is a great way to balance it out. Pour some melted chocolate on your wraps and burgers before adding your choice of cheese.

Different nuts that go well with dark chocolate

If you're still wondering what to eat with dark chocolate, nuts add a perfect layer of texture and flavor to chocolate desserts. Here is a top selection of nuts whose flavors complement dark chocolate.

Almonds

Almonds pair so well with dark chocolate because they have multiple flavor compounds in common but retain distinctly contrasting textures. Almonds are naturally crunchy, while dark chocolate melts right through. An almond and dark chocolate pairing is also an excellent choice of healthy snacks as it's a good source of vitamin E and dietary fiber.

Walnuts

The rich, earthy, and satisfying crunch of walnuts is a perfect way to balance the sweet dark chocolate flavor. The smooth texture of dark chocolate paired with walnuts offers an excellent exploration for your tastebuds.

Hazelnuts

Dark chocolate and hazelnuts are paired perfectly because it is able to amplify the flavor of the nuts and still maintain their unique taste profile.

Pecans

The distinctly sweet flavor of pecans combined with the crunch that provides to the dark chocolate is a match made in heaven. They are a great dark chocolate pairing because they complement the sweet flavors in dark chocolate.

Pistachios

One of the best ways to eat dark chocolate is by choosing a pairing that offers a significant contrast in texture. One of these delicious contrasts is Fastachi's dark chocolate pistachios. Additionally, their vibrant green color and unique flavor give a perfect look and burst of flavor.

Tips for Enjoying and Eating Dark Chocolate

Dark chocolate is a perfect option for dessert. Explore your culinary skills by trying out different ways to pair dark chocolate. Here are a few tips if you need help with how and what to eat with dark chocolate.

Dark chocolate's health benefit is in moderation and portion control

Too much of anything good can have adverse effects. While there are many dark chocolate health benefits, portion control is the secret to enjoying all of them, instead of eating one large portion of dark chocolate in a day. Consider having small chunks on the regular by making pairings.

Choosing high-quality dark chocolate with a high cocoa percentage

To benefit from the chocolate's healthy properties, choose gourmet handmade chocolates with no extra additives that are high in cocoa. It will provide more minerals and antioxidants and improve blood pressure. Cocoa is nutrient rich and the source of dark chocolate's most health benefits.

Experimenting with different combinations

People tend to consume less dark chocolate when they pair them in different combinations, especially nuts, which are generally filling. Combining your dark chocolate with nuts can provide an excellent nutrient boost. The two carry significant amounts of antioxidants and healthy fats, making them great heart-healthy foods.

Place this combination on your smoothies or yogurt for a more profound treat for your tastebuds.

Conclusion

Dark chocolate is beyond the sweet and loved snack. It is loaded with nutrients your body needs. It is a powerful source of antioxidants that can lower blood pressure and improve blood flow. Consuming moderate portions of this cocoa delight reduces your risk of developing heart disease and can even protect your skin from harmful UV rays.