Chocolate, if it is at least 70%, is a precious food for our diet. Often found in sweets mixed with large amounts of butter, sugar and other foods that are very caloric and unhealthy. Together with Dr. Elisabetta Macorsini we see some recipes that allow you to consume it without influencing your figure.
Dark chocolate cake: the recipe
Ingredients:
Water 330 g, flour 00 225 g, sugar 100 g, dark chocolate 80 g, extra virgin olive oil 50 g, a sachet of baking powder.
Preparation:
Chop the chocolate well. Take a pan with high edges and pour the water to heat over low heat. Add the sugar and let it melt well with the help of a hand whisk. Add the chocolate flakes while continuing to stir. Pour the mixture into the blender’s cup and blend all the ingredients. Let cool, then take a bowl sifting through the flour pour the mixture into the bowl and stir well. Pour the oil and orange peel while continuing to stir. Bake at 180°C for 50 minutes.
Raspberry and dark chocolate pudding: the recipe
Ingredients:
For a 4-portion cake: 500 g of raspberries, 70 g of sugar, 125 g of low-fat yoghurt, 80 g of dark chocolate, 100 g of orange juice, 4 g of agar agar.
Preparation:
Macerate the raspberries with the sugar and orange juice for 15 minutes. Blend everything and pour the mixture into a saucepan with the yogurt and bring to a boil. Turn off and add agar agar while stirring well. Turn on the heat again and leave to cook for 2 minutes. Pour the preparation into the cups and let cool. Melt the dark chocolate in a bain-marie and slowly pour over the cups. Put in the fridge for a few hours.
The nutritional properties of dark chocolate
Dark chocolate has numerous benefits:
Cardio-protective effect attributable to a high content of flavonoids, substances that prevent free radicals from oxidizing “bad cholesterol” (LDL).
These substances also regulate the vascular tone and degree of restriction of the lumen of blood vessels thus preventing an increase in blood pressure.
Draining effect due to the presence of theobromine, a natural alkaloid present in cocoa and able to stimulate renal activity, promoting diuresis.
Antidepressant action because chocolate stimulates the secretion of endorphins that are able to generate a pleasant feeling of well being.
Iron supply: 100 grams of dark chocolate has about 2 mg of iron and is therefore a useful food for those suffering from anemia.
Dark chocolate is also an excellent solution for sportsmen who suffer from muscle cramps because 100 grams of dark chocolate has about 80 mg of magnesium.
Let’s not forget that chocolate is still a caloric food and for this reason it would be better not to exceed the dose of 10/20 grams per day (one or two squares of chocolate) in this way we will draw on its beneficial properties while safeguarding the line.
Raspberry is a fruit with a high antioxidant power because it has a high percentage of anthocyanins, flavonoids and vitamins.
Rutin strengthens eyesight and has proven to be effective in the treatment of retinopathies because it increases the resistance of capillaries. Raspberries are ideal in low-calorie diets (35 calories per 100 g of fruit) and can also be consumed by diabetics.
