Dark Chocolate Apparently Helpful for the Eyes

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Although generally less popular than other types of chocolate that tend to be sweeter, such as milk chocolate or white chocolate, but dark chocolate has enough fans loyal. For those of you who like this bitter, you are lucky because dark chocolate has many benefits for health, not to mention eye health.

According to dr. Nitish Basant Adnani, BMedSc, this type of chocolate contains certain nutritious components.

"Dark chocolate is rich in solid cocoa containing flavonoid components (flavonol cocoa). At some level, flavonol cocoa is known to help lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels and improve cognitive abilities, "he said.

In addition, dr. Nitish also explained that the levels of flavonol cocoa in dark chocolate is higher than other types of chocolate such as milk chocolate. In fact, white chocolate contains no cocoa flavonols at all.

The uniqueness of dark chocolate is the content of stearic acid present in it. Stearic acid is a saturated fat that is different from other types because it has no effect on increasing cholesterol levels in the blood.

Not to forget, the main ingredient dark chocolate, namely cocoa powder, is also rich in several types of minerals. Starting from calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc. Everything is good to support body functions.

All of these contents are good for the body, including eye health. What is the connection between dark chocolate and our sense of sight?

Benefits of dark chocolate for eye health

A study reported by WebMD explains that some dark chocolate bites can improve the quality of vision. Flavonol levels play a major role in this.

The change is not too big, but still significant. Studies continue to be done so that the validity of dark chocolate benefits for the eyes can be set.

"The duration of their effects and effects in real-world performance awaits further testing," said Jeff Rabin, a researcher from the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, USA. The results of the study have been published through the journal JAMA Ophthalmology.

This study was conducted by involving 30 healthy adults aged 26 years on average. They are given a choice between dark chocolate and regular milk chocolate, for them to grab and eat.

About two hours later, each participant underwent a vision test using a standard letter-based eye chart. What is the result?

Compared to people who ate milk chocolate, those who ate dark chocolate showed a small increase in visual acuity and had visual contrast sensitivity.

Tips to improve eye health

Mark Fromer, an ophthalmologist from Lenox Hill Hospital, USA, explained that visual acuity is a key component in standard prescription glasses tests. Meanwhile, based on Mark's explanation, contrast sensitivity is the ability to distinguish objects when lighting is altered in a certain intensity.

"The study researchers may argue that this is the result of increased blood flow to the retina, the visual pathway, or the cerebral cortex through the content in dark chocolate," he said.

Even so, Mark argues that this research needs to be matured through the next stage. This is done so that the benefits of dark chocolate can be exposed to more powerful evidence.

Although good, but dr. Nitish recommends that you do not overdo it in consuming dark chocolate. Eating according to the portion is the most appropriate way to get the goodness of this one snack.

"Avoid eating dark chocolate in excess because it can cause increased levels of fat, sugar, and calories in the body. As per the advice of experts, safe limits of daily dark chocolate consumption is about 1 ounce, "said dr. Nitish. Chocolate consumption is also recommended to be done in "divided doses", ie 3-5 times a day.

After knowing the health benefits of dark chocolate for the body including eye health, you can make it as a healthy snack while waiting for a big meal. However, do not forget to not consume it excessively so you can really feel (enjoyment and) the benefits!

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