As if you need an excuse to eat chocolate! Just in case you do, here’s 13 health benefits of chocolate.
The flavonoids (plant compounds from cacao) in dark chocolate play a role in improving cardiovascular health, both through antioxidant effects (complicated, just know that antioxidants reduce oxidation, oxidation causes cell damage) and through mechanisms which reduce blood clots. Milk interferes with flavonoid absorption, so avoid milk chocolate and stick with the dark stuff. Additionally, some chocolate products have flavonoids removed (as they can be bitter in an unrefined state). If possible, get chocolate with flavonoids still present.
There are more beneficial flavonoids in chocolate than in red wine, and green and black tea.
There is some evidence that the flavonoids in chocolate play a role in inhibiting the growth of cancer cells. The evidence is scarce, particularly in large scale human trials, but feel free to explore some of the research.
Following a stroke, chocolate was found to result in less brain damage than in organisms who didn’t consume chocolate.
Evidence points to chemical in chocolate (epicatechin) being useful in the treatment of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease patients.
Theobromine, another ‘chocolate chemical’ plays a role in vasodilation (expansion of the arteries), thus assisting in cardiovascular health and reducing blood pressure. Incidentally, it is this chemical that makes chocolate poisonous for dogs.
Chocolate improves insulin sensitivity, meaning the body is better able to monitor and control blood glucose levels within a healthy range. The benefits are numerous for those with insulin resistance and diabetes.
Evidence points to lower rates of heart failure in regular consumers of cocoa (learn more).
Chocolate lovers may suffer lower rates of inflammation (learn more).
Chocolate has been showed to lower unfavourable (LDL) cholesterol levels (learn more).
The effects on nitric oxide levels may aid in healthy nervous system development (learn more).
Visual processing speed has been found to be increased by chocolate compounds (learn more).
Mental fatigue is delayed by the consumption of chocolate compounds (learn more).
When choosing chocolate, go for unsweetened dark chocolate, with as high a cocoa content as possible. Over 70% is ideal. And keep the portion sizes responsible. Even though it has health benefits, the high caloric content more than negates these at high doses.
