Polyphenols present in red wine and chocolate offer a range of health benefits from preventing damage of blood vessels to improving blood flow.
But again, you can only reap benefits, when you take them in moderation. The recommended dose of red wine is 1-2 glasses per day.
Dark chocolate is the best and unprocessed form of chocolate with major health benefits.
So, now let’s look at the 7 health benefits of red wine and chocolate.
1. Good for Liver health
According to a study by UC San Diego School of Medicine, drinking red wine reduces the chances of liver disease by half as compared to beer and hard liquor drinkers.
Consumption of wine in moderation prevents the accumulation of fat in the liver. Ellagic acid present in red wine improves the health of people with fatty liver disease.
Studies on Dark chocolate has shown that it’s consumption reduces blood vessel damage in alcoholic patients.
The high level of antioxidants in red wine and dark chocolate reduces blood pressure and flushes out toxins from the body.
2. Prevents Sunburn
Compared to tea, Cocoa or dark chocolate contains four times more phenols and catechins which protect our skin from sunburn and skin cancer.
So, the next time you want to protect your skin, bring home a delicious chocolate box.
Drinking wine protects your skin from the harmful effects of UV rays can help to lessen the effects of UV (ultraviolet) rays according to a study conducted by scientists from the University of Barcelona.
The flavonoids in red wine restrain the oxidation of skin cells exposed to UVA and UVB rays.
3. Prevents Skin Cancer and breast cancer
Red wine and dark chocolate help to fight cancer because of their high content of antioxidants.
Polyphenols found in red wine, along with Vitamins A, C, and E in dark chocolate curb the growth of tumor cells in the human body.
Research has also shown that drinking red wine lowers the risk of developing breast cancer.
The chemicals found in red grapes increase the testosterone levels in pre-menopausal women and decrease the estrogen levels.
So, if you take red wine and dark chocolate in combination, they stop the growth of cancer cells and kills them.
4. Immune system
Red wine is rich in potassium, magnesium and vitamin B along with polyphenols. These polyphenols boost the immune system by fighting against the infections attacking the body.
Resveratrol in red wine has anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects protecting from cardiovascular diseases, diabetes or neurological diseases.
The benefits multiply when red wine is taken with dark chocolate. Dark chocolate is also rich in Vitamin E and C that encourages the immune system of the body.
5. Uplift mood
In this fast-paced life, people suffer from too much stress that leads to depression.
According to a study, drinking wine can reduce depression. The researchers found that weekly consumption of two to seven glasses of wine reduces the chances of depression in men and women compared to the people who abstained from drinking wine.
However, it is important to keep an eye on the intake of wine because the same study shows that drinking more than seven glasses of wine per week can increase the risk of depression.
Red wine in combination with dark chocolate does wonders. A small bite of dark chocolate induces the brain to release endorphins to boost the serotonin levels which uplifts the mood.
These foods are rich in carbohydrates and therefore provide the body with a burst of energy. Hence, indulging in them regularly brings an invigorating effect on your body.
6. Good for a Healthy Heart
The flavonoids present in dark chocolate prevent oxidative damage to the body and help the body detoxify.
The high cocoa content makes dark chocolate anti-inflammatory in nature which prevents inflammation of blood vessels, thus regulating normal blood pressure levels in the human body.
Red wine maintains a good cholesterol balance in the body by reducing LDL levels. Lower LDL cholesterol levels reduce the chance of any oxidative damage to the blood vessels or blood clotting.
Therefore, together chocolate and red wine ensure a healthy functioning heart
According to a leading newspaper report, apart from red wine, even champagne is very effective in lowering blood pressure and reducing heart problems. You may want to try the Andre Champagne that is equipped with a variety of flavors.
7. Combats Alzheimer’s Disease
Resveratrol present in Red wine has combative properties against neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.
According to a study, Red wine boosts the metabolism of the brain by strengthening the mitochondria of the brain cells. According to a Forbes article, flavonoids present in dark chocolate improve memory function and reduce the rate of age-related memory decline.
Higher the concentration of cacao in the dark chocolate, better is the impact on immunity, memory, cognition, and mood. Thus, red wine and dark chocolate are excellent food choices for a sharp brain.
So, you can see how the combination of red wine and dark chocolate can be a healthy addition to your diet. The best combination is the pairing of fruity wines with dark chocolate especially wines that are from a warm climate and a late harvest.
They have a sweeter taste that compliments the rich bitterness of dark chocolate. The top quality fruity wines that go well with dark chocolate are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, or a Petit Syrah.
Feel free to experiment with different wines to see which one suits your chocolaty dessert. The red shimmery Viniq is another amazing liquor with natural fruity flavors that can go well with dark chocolate.
So feel free to indulge in red wine with dark chocolate guilt free – the perfect way to unwind from a hard working day!
Tell us what is your favorite red wine and dark chocolate pairing?
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