How Dark Chocolate Benefits Seniors’ Health
If your senior loved one is a chocolate lover, he or she may enjoy all its health benefits. If they are unaware of it, continue reading below to learn the incredible health benefits of this delicious treat. Home Care Richmond experts recommend adding dark chocolate to seniors' daily diets.
1. Prevents Heart Disease
Dark chocolate contains compounds that protect seniors against the oxidation level of LDL (bad) cholesterol in the blood. Higher LDL levels increase the risk for cardiovascular disease over time among seniors. Dark chocolate lowers that risk and is associated with reducing seniors' blood pressure. Eating a serving of dark chocolate a few times a week can lower blood pressure coupled with diminishing LDL levels and considerably eliminates the risk of heart disease.
Seniors are often concerned they will develop Alzheimer's Disease because it is one of the most chronic diseases, mostly age-related, that causes a person to lose memory progressively. It also affects, over time, the ability of a person to dress and feed themselves. Eating dark chocolate regularly is a great way to prevent it. It contains a rich amount of flavanols, proven to boost blood flow in the brain, preserving and improving seniors' cognitive ability. Dark chocolate can also help eliminate the progress of already existing Alzheimer's. The caffeine and theobromine in dark chocolate can also enhance brain functions for a short time.
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer found worldwide. Doctors and dermatologists often recommend wearing sunscreen when going outside. However, eating dark chocolate is another great way to protect your loved one's aging skin. The flavanols present in dark chocolate are found to be significantly protective for epithelial cells as well as help increase the blood flow to the skin, reduces UV damage to the skin, and boost hydration. If your loved one wants to get the best effects from it, they must have a buildup of flavanols and antioxidants in their system to boost their body's skin protection ability.
Dark chocolate is known to be a natural mood enhancer. Seniors often feel lonely and isolated due to a number of reasons, this sweet treat can significantly have positive effects on their mood. The phenylethylamine present in dark chocolate is a chemical that our brains produce when we fall in love with something naturally. This helps release endorphins to improve your loved one's mood drastically. Regular consumption of dark chocolate can your loved one a happier person.
5. Balances Blood Cholesterol Levels
As was noted before, eating dark chocolate can help keep arteries and the heart healthy by lowering LDL cholesterol levels in the blood while simultaneously raising HDL cholesterol levels.
Include dark chocolate in your loved one's diet by adding it to desserts, oatmeal, cereals, and smoothies to get them a burst of nutrients without having a bitter taste. You can also consult In-Home Care Richmond to help your loved one maintain a healthy diet to lead healthier golden years and allow them to age in place.
