There have been countless studies that have pointed out the fact that chocolate, especially dark chocolate, is extremely healthy for you. This is due to the fact that it contains cacao, which provides numerous benefits. Apart from this, chocolates contain theobromine and flavonoids. Here are the top five health benefits that chocolate is known to provide:
Great For The Heart
Chocolate offers many cardiovascular benefits. A Swedish study found that women who consumed one or two dark chocolate servings every week reduced their heart failure risk by a third. Another German study found that consuming a square of dark chocolate every day could reduce stroke and heart attack risk and could help lower blood pressure. Most of the credit goes to flavonoids that help in increasing the flexibility of the arteries and veins. If you’re working on heart health overall, it also helps to understand the top risk factors of heart disease.
Helps In Weight Loss
Some of the researchers situated at the University of Copenhagen found out that dark chocolate tends to be extremely filling, even more so than the lighter colored chocolates. This means that dark chocolate can help lessen salty, fatty food, and sweet cravings. If you’re trying to make healthier choices more consistently, these easy healthy eating tips can help you build better day-to-day habits.
Prevents Diabetes
An Italian study was conducted in which it was established that the participants who indulged in dark chocolate, once every day, for a consecutive 15 days saw that they had more potential for a significant drop in their insulin resistance. The lead researcher in the study stated that flavonoids found in dark chocolate helped in increasing the production of nitric oxide. This aids in controlling sensitivity towards insulin. For a broader look at the connection between diabetes and cardiovascular risk, read Know your ABCs about diabetes and heart health.
Reduces Stress
Many people are known to consume more chocolate when they are stressed. And the good thing is that this might not be such a bad thing to do. The scientists in Switzerland found out that when extremely anxious people consumed an ounce and a half worth of dark chocolate each day for a period of two weeks, they reduced their stress hormone levels significantly. The metabolic effects related to stress had also been mitigated partially. Therefore, anyone suffering from a breakup should indulge in some dark chocolate as opposed to ice cream—and if you need a few more quick mood boosters, check out these 5 quick pick-me-ups.
Offers Protection From The Sun
The researchers based in London had recently tested what flavonoids were capable of against the sun. After the study, subjects were made to eat chocolate for a period of three months consisting of high flavonoid levels. The skin of the participants took two times as long for it to redden due to a burn. However, the subjects who were consuming chocolate containing low amounts of flavonoid did not receive the same amount of sun protection. Therefore, you need to be on the lookout for brands that offer higher levels of healthy compounds. Supporting skin health from the inside out can also include getting enough sunshine-related nutrients—here’s more on the benefits of vitamin D.



