Cacao beans, milk solids, sugar, soy lecithin, or other emulsifiers, and sometimes vanilla and other flavorings are used to make chocolate. Dark chocolate is distinguished from milk chocolate by the absence of milk solids. Cacao beans are more commonly cultivated in tropical climates. They are harvested from cocoa pods, fermented, dried, and roasted. Cocoa nibs are made from cocoa butter and chocolate solids after the fibrous outer layer are removed and processed. The cocoa nibs are next grated into a fine powder using a coaching machine.
Dark chocolate contains the amino acid L-Arginine HCl, which has been shown to help increase sperm count and volume. Consumption in little amounts can help sperm count to some extent. Several studies have shown that dark chocolate improves men’s sperm quality.
The sweet contains L-arginine, an amino acid that has been shown to boost sperm count, motility, and volume. It’s also abundant in antioxidants, which aid in the battle against free radicals found in pollution and pollutants, which have been related to male infertility, as well as improving heart health.
‘Antioxidants are also crucial for optimal blood flow, which is beneficial to fertility,’ Tammy of the Nutrition Twins explained. Antioxidant-rich foods include blueberries and citrus fruits. Cocoa contains several compounds, including flavonoids, which are antioxidants. It’s unclear how they function in the body, but they do appear to produce vascular relaxation. This could result in a drop in blood pressure.
Cocoa beans are the cocoa tree’s seeds (Theobroma cacao). Chocolate is made from beans, which are high in antioxidants. Cocoa contains a variety of chemicals, including antioxidants called flavonoid cocoa beans, which are the cocoa tree’s seeds (Theobroma cacao). Chocolate is made from beans, which are high in antioxidants. Cocoa contains several compounds, including flavonoids, which are antioxidants. Although it’s unclear how they act in the body, they appear to relax blood arteries. This may result in decreased blood pressure, as well as a reduction in inflammation and blood vessel obstruction. Heart disease and high blood pressure are the most common conditions for which cocoa is used. It’s also claimed to treat excessive cholesterol, memory loss, aged skin, and a variety of other ailments, but there’s no solid scientific proof to back up these claims.
The Best Type of Chocolate for Fertility
Sorry, white chocolate lovers, not all chocolate is made equal.
If you go to the store and buy a chocolate bar, you’re likely to discover the following ingredients: milk solids, sugar, soy lecithin, natural flavorings, etc.
By the way, why is it necessary to add ‘natural flavoring’ to chocolate?
Cacao beans are used to make chocolate. You may also see them referred to as cocoa beans, so as not to cause any mistake. In either case, tropical climates are generally where these beans are grown. Fermented, dried, and roasted raw cacao beans are the next steps after they are extracted from their pods.
The final product is made with varying quantities of cacao, which are added throughout the journey.
Cacao, milk, and sugar are all commonly found in milk chocolate. Moreover, if you’d want to understand more about why dairy and sugar might not be beneficial to your efforts to conceive, you can check out our associated pages.
In order to acquire dark chocolate, all you have to do is remove the milk solids and reduce the amount of sugar.
The cacao content in dark chocolate is normally about 70% or more, with a lot less sugar added than in milk chocolate. You may have heard that the more cacao in chocolate, the bitterer it tastes.
As a result, we now know what you’re thinking… “I’m not a fan of dark chocolate because of its bitterness.” Our milk chocolate-loving acquaintance should not be concerned, though… At the conclusion of this piece, you’ll find several dish ideas that go along with that “bitter” flavor.
Chocolate’s Positive Effects on Pregnancy
On to the fun thing, the health benefits of dark chocolate, including reproductive health!
Many micronutrients, including iron, may be found in dark chocolate.
Just 3.5 ounces of chocolate has the following nutrients in it:
• 67% of the recommended daily allowance for iron.
• 58% of the recommended daily allowance (RDA) for Magnesium.
• 89% of the Copper RDA was met.
• Manganese at 98 percent of the RDA.
Additionally, it’s a good source of minerals including sodium, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, and selenium. Your reproductive health and overall well-being depend on these minerals.
Additionally, dark chocolate is a great source of antioxidants. Even acai berries and blueberries aren’t as potent of an antioxidant as raw cacao beans.
Flavonoids are another type of plant-based nutrient present in dark chocolate. Flavonoids, despite their odd name, have the potential to widen the arteries in your body, allowing more blood to reach essential organs. The arginine in dark chocolate has the same effect. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) nitric oxide is a product of arginine, which is a precursor to nitric oxide. Natural dilating of the blood arteries is fantastic for decreasing the risk of heart disease and high blood pressure, but we know you’re focused on maximizing your reproductive health.
Dark chocolate, it turns out, may also help reduce insulin resistance. For women with PCOS, this is good news, as insulin resistance and blood sugar dysregulation may be a contributing factor.
In the end, it would be unfair to leave the subject of dark chocolate without addressing its favorable influence on your mood.
Tryptophan, an amino acid precursor to serotonin, the neurotransmitter responsible for making us happy, is abundant in chocolate, making it an excellent choice for a healthy diet. People who ate dark chocolate were 70% less likely to suffer from depression, according to one research. This should go without saying, but considering the highs and lows that come with trying to conceive, it’s an important consideration.
Just how much chocolate is too much for you?
The subject of how much one can eat of dark chocolate is always on the table.
You can’t refute the health benefits of dark chocolate, but if you’re not careful, you might end up gaining weight.
When it comes to calories, a 6-ounce bar of chocolate packs roughly 800, with 48 grammes of fat. In any case, you’ve already figured out that obesity is nothing to be afraid of. Even so, that’s a significant number of calories from fat to consume.
Everything is fine if done in moderation, right?
For maximum pro-fertility benefits, limit yourself to no more than 1-2 squares of dark chocolate each day.
Make sure to keep things in perspective!
Caffeine level in dark chocolate has led to some people advising against eating it while trying to conceive. However, if your daily caffeine intake is less than 200 milligrammes, the caffeine in 1-2 squares will have no effect on you.
Inspiration for chocolate recipes
Let’s get started with the chocolate recipes we promised you.
Then there’s this.
There are a plethora of chocolate-based dishes to try!
Dark chocolate fudge… It’s hard to go wrong with dark chocolate mousse and dark chocolate truffles.
Even if you don’t enjoy the taste of dark chocolate, you may still reap the benefits by making a fertility-enhancing smoothie.
One of our favorites is included here:
Smoothie with dark chocolate and pomegranate
Ingredients:
• Organic strawberries, either fresh or frozen, 1 cup
• 1 cup organic spinach frozen in the original form
• 2-3 tablespoons almond butter
• Tofu, 1 tablespoon (or more)
•1 tablespoon of cacao powder
• Juice of one pomegranate
• The equivalent of four fluid ounces
Instructions:
Blend or use a smoothie machine to combine all ingredients until smooth. Sprinkle hemp hearts or cacao nibs on top before pouring into a BPA-free container of your choice.
Enjoy!
People also search
Should you avoid chocolate when trying to conceive?
Caffeine level in dark chocolate has led to some people advising against eating it while trying to conceive. If you use less than 200mg of caffeine per day, the quantity of caffeine you receive from 1-2 squares isn’t something to worry about.
Does eating chocolate affect conception?
It has been demonstrated in a number of research that dark chocolate can improve the quality of male sperm. L-arginine, an amino acid in the sweet, has been shown to improve sperm count, sperm motility, and semen volume.
Is chocolate good for implantation?
It has a critical function in facilitating embryo implantation. Pre-implant levels are at their highest and fall rapidly post-implant. During the week leading up to menstruation, a woman’s anandamide levels remain high, and she is more likely to crave chocolate.
Is it OK to eat chocolate during ovulation?
It’s a little… Dark chocolate is rich in minerals that assist maintain hormonal balance, such as magnesium, calcium, zinc, iron, and potassium, which are found in abundance in dark chocolate. A healthy egg and sperm count, ovulation, thick endometrial lining, and strong bones are all dependent on these minerals.
