7 good reasons to reach for the dark chocolate 7 good reasons to reach for the dark chocolate
Centr Team
01 Jul 2020
To celebrate World Chocolate Day, we're giving you perhaps the best reason yet to eat chocolate: its many amazing health benefits!
That's right, dark chocolate that is 70 percent cacao or more is choc-full of nutrients that can lower your risk of disease and power you through your day. And when the cacao percentage is above 70 percent, there's a good chance that your chocolate is vegan – just check the ingredients to be sure.
Of course, just as you enjoy your Centr snacks in moderation, don't go overboard with dark chocolate – eat TOO much and you'll be taking in too many calories, which could derail your fitness journey. To help you snack smart, we've selected seven of our favorite dark chocolate recipes, each with a health benefit bonus.
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Cacao Peppermint Latte
Big day ahead? Our supremely sippable Cacao Peppermint Latte will help you slay it in style – not only are you getting a fresh kick of peppermint and caffeine to start your engine, but studies suggest that dark chocolate may improve brain function by increasing blood flow to the brain.
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Dark Chocolate Salted Cupcakes
You may consider our Dark Chocolate Salted Cupcakes to be a humble, if mighty delicious, snack. But hiding beneath that tasty snack exterior is a nutritional powerhouse – dark chocolate is high in fiber and minerals including magnesium, iron, copper and manganese.
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Choc Peanut Bliss Balls
When you're snacking on the run, nothing hits the spot like our Choc Peanut Bliss Balls. They may also come in handy when you're snacking in the sun – because the flavanols in cocoa can improve blood flow to the skin and protect it from sun damage.
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Chocolate Raspberry Truffles
Don't just treat yourself, treat yourself well! With dark chocolate AND raspberries, these truffles are packing twice the antioxidant power. Antioxidants protect the cells in your body from attack by free radicals, which can cause heart disease, cancer and other diseases.
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Chocolate Zucchini Muffins
Talk about feel-good food! Not only are you eating your greens with our Chocolate Zucchini Muffins, the cocoa in each bite could help reduce some of the risk factors that lead to heart disease. Oxidized LDL (bad cholesterol) can damage the arteries in your heart – but cocoa powder has been found to reduce oxidized LDL and increase HDL (good cholesterol).
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Choc Drizzle Protein Bars
We know that exercise is good for our heart and protein repairs and grows our muscles. Now there's a third reason to whip up a batch of our Choc Drizzle Protein Bars – long-term observational studies have shown a drastic reduction in heart disease in those who regularly consume dark chocolate.
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Chocolate Espresso Snack Smoothie
Whether it's a post-workout cool-down or a mid-afternoon pick-me-up, our Chocolate Espresso smoothie has got you! And while you're making that "ahhh" noise, be extra chill in the knowledge that the raw cacao is improving blood flow through your arteries and lowering your blood pressure. Ahhh!
