Your Gut Bacteria Makes Chocolate Healthier

Dark chocolate has been known to have a plethora of health benefits. We’ve heard it time and again that it’s good for the heart and that having chocolate regularly gives you lower body weight.

Just recently, scientists have unveiled one of the many reasons. Bacteria in the gut turn cocoa into compounds that lower inflammation and make us feel full.

Well, isn’t it a delightful time to be a dark-chocolate lover! Word has it that the magic may reside in our own bellies. Science says so. Yeah, science!

The friendly microorganisms in our stomachs tend to gobble up cocoa powder, then turning it into compounds that have been proven to help the heart. The critters have also been found to convert the cocoa powder into molecules which decrease inflammation and signal our satiety.

We’ve heard all sorts of health benefits linked to chocolate for centuries now, from curing infertility and fatigue to fever and dental problems. However, the strongest contender of them all are the links to lower blood pressure and heart health.

Of course we're just referring to cocoa itself, not the milk or sugar that's mixed in to make all kinds of treats. Cocoa powder is an easy form that goes well with a lot of foods. You can easily add it to other stuff, for exampl,e your morning oatmeal. (Remember Cocoa-Oats? OK, that had lots of sugar too, but yum!)

Cocoa powder is rich in potent antioxidants, called polyphenols. These healthful molecules are also found in dark berries and black tea. They have been proven to help the heart and possibly reduce the risk of cancer.

The clincher here is that many polyphenols are so large they don't get absorbed into the bloodstream. That's where the critters in your gut come in handy, breaking them down into smaller components.

Joanna Maligaya
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