Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate

Kids love chocolate! Adults love chocolate! Even our dear senior citizens love chocolate! Who doesn’t love chocolate? Everyone does! What if someone told you that you do not have to go see a doctor to manage your blood pressure, instead you can relax on a couch and gorge on dark chocolate? Pure nirvana!

Health benefits of dark chocolate – confused? Don’t be. Dark chocolate, when taken in moderation have some amazing health benefits. Dark Chocolate tastes good, stimulates endorphin production which gives a feeling of pleasure and contains serotonin and theobromine which acts as anti-depressant and stimulants.

1. Dark Chocolates Have Heart-Healthy Benefits

Eating dark chocolate can make your heart healthy. Research has shown that dark chocolate can lower your blood pressure. It is okay to have a piece of dark chocolate three times in a week as it improves blood flow. It even stops the formation of blood clots which reduce the instances of heart attacks. Hardening of arteries can also be avoided by eating dark chocolate.

2. It reduces the risk of having a stroke

Dark chocolate contains a compound known as flavonoids (antioxidants) which helps prevent stroke. A Swedish study reported that having 45 grams of dark chocolate per week reduced stroke risk in women by almost twenty percent. As a matter of fact dark chocolate has 8 times more antioxidants than those present in strawberries. Dark chocolate’s great, the perfect storm of flavor, flavonoids, and fat.

It tastes really good, comes loaded with polyphenols, and cocoa butter is a great source of saturated and mono saturated fat. High-cacao dark chocolate, then, is quite literally a healthy candy bar.

3. Lowers Cholesterol Level

Dark chocolate can reduce the LDL levels, also known as bad cholesterol, by about ten percent. Simply amazing!

4. It is Good for The Brain as Well

Dark chocolate significantly improves the cognitive activity of the brain as it stimulates the flow of blood to the brain. It makes you feel happier as it contains a chemical known as PEA. This is the same chemical that your brain automatically creates when you are in love. PEA stimulates the brain to release endorphins that makes you feel lighthearted.

5. It Improves Your Dental Health

A sweet that improves your dental health? Sounds impossible, but it’s true. Dark chocolate contains theobromine which is known to harden tooth enamel. Along with proper dental hygiene, having dark chocolate can reduce the risk of getting dental cavities.

6. It acts as a stimulant

Dark chocolate also contains caffeine but in small amounts. The amount of caffeine present in dark chocolate is significantly less than that present in coffee. A bar of dark chocolate measuring 1.5 ounce contains 27 mg caffeine, whereas, a cup of coffee contains 200 mg caffeine. Hence, for mild stimulating effect you can reach out for a small bar of dark chocolate instead of that addictive cup of coffee.

7. Dark Chocolate is Good for the Skin

It’s a myth that chocolate causes acne breakout. Having dark chocolate in moderation is actually good for the skin as it contains antioxidants. Our body needs lots of antioxidants to fight down the assault of free radicals on healthy cells. Free radicals are responsible for the premature aging of the skin. Having dark chocolate helps postpone the aging process and makes your skin look more youthful.

8. Dark Chocolate also has Vitamins and Minerals

Some of the minerals and vitamins present in dark chocolate are potassium, copper, magnesium and iron, all the more reason to eat dark chocolate at least once a week.

Conclusion – Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate

After writing about all the health benefits of dark chocolate, I am going to have dark chocolate at least three times a week (and absolutely guilt free)! What about you? But please remember that processed dark chocolate has high calorie content. Hence, eat them in strict moderation.