The next time you prepare a chocolate drink, don’t think of it as a guilty pleasure. Think of it as a superfood packed with flavanols and antioxidants that will take your health to the next level.
Dark chocolate is rich in flavonoids, which are plant chemicals that act as antioxidants and may play a role in cancer prevention and heart health, according to a study published in 2016 in the Journal of Nutritional Science. And Toby Amidor, RD, a cookbook author and nutrition expert for Food Network, says cacao also contains a compound called theobromine that may help reduce inflammation and potentially lower blood pressure.
If you need an excuse to eat chocolate, these five reasons should do the trick.
Finding a healthy fix for keeping your heart in check is the aim of many researchers, but there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. New findings published in July 2020 showed that eating chocolate once per week may help lower the risk of blocked arteries. In May 2021, researchers analyzed data from more than 188,000 veterans concluded that regularly eating about 1 oz of chocolate every day was associated with an 8 percent lower risk of coronary artery disease.
Studies have shown that consuming dark chocolate improves insulin sensitivity and lowers the risk of diabetes. It contains a powerful flavonoid called flavanone that can lower blood pressure and improve your heart health in more ways than one.
A proven study by Dr. Frank Hu of the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston showed that people who ate a small amount of chocolate regularly were 25 percent less likely to develop Type 2 diabetes than non-chocolate eaters.
Chocolate sounds like the perfect cure for anyone struggling with their weight. After all, what is there not to love about it? Research shows that chocolate does more than just taste good — it can also give your digestive health a boost.
The good bacteria in chocolate, or “prebiotics,” helps your body absorb nutrients and process foods better; all of which can lead to better overall health, according to Harvard T. H. Chan Public School of Health Research Center.
Dark chocolate drinks can act like sunscreen when it comes to protecting your skin from UV damage. It can help reduce dark spots and pigmentation, keep skin glowing and healthy, retain moisture in the skin, improve collagen content and boost circulation. All of these benefits help delay fine lines and wrinkles.
New studies show that when you eat flavanols, the molecules enter your bloodstream and your brain and increase mental agility. It improves your memory, bringing a steady flow of blood to the brain, and making it easier to focus.