10 Proven Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate

Do you know that dark chocolate offer numerous health benefits? You heard us!

Besides taste, dark chocolate offers loads of other benefits for you.

In this article, we will present you the biggest health benefits of dark chocolate that prove that it is not as bad as some think. In fact, you can even call dark chocolate a healthier choice compared to milk and white chocolate.

So let’s see what you can expect from eating a bar of delicious dark chocolate. Here are the 10 top benefits of adding a little dark chocolate to your diet.

Top 10 Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate – Reasons to Eat More Chocolate!

1. Dark chocolate can benefit your heart.

Studies have shown that dark chocolate can improve the elasticity of blood vessels. This is mainly due to the antioxidant effect of cocoa butter. What this means for you is that your risk of heart diseases will decrease by eating dark chocolate.

However, it should be noted that you have to consume dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa content to experience this benefit.

The high content of flavonoids in dark chocolate helps prevent blood clots and lowers high blood pressure due to its ability to relax your blood vessels and increase their elasticity.

Antioxidants found in dark chocolate also help reduce the risk for coronary heart disease and strokes.

2. Dark chocolate can help you lose weight.

Would you believe that there are some studies that show dark chocolate helps in losing weight? Well, true indeed! When it comes to the benefits of dark chocolate for weight loss, there are two major reasons why it works.

First, the healthy fat found in dark chocolate called cocoa butter helps you feel full for a longer period of time. Second, it also causes changes in insulin levels that can help you lose weight.

3. Dark chocolate is good for your skin.

Acne is the most common skin problem many experiences or has to deal with at least once or twice in their lifetime. Dark chocolate has anti-inflammatory benefits due to its caffeine content.

Plus it contains antioxidants and other properties that affect the activity of certain enzymes in the body which is good for your skin. Eating dark chocolate can significantly protect the skin from UV light.

Also read: What are the health benefits of drinking hot chocolate?

4. Dark chocolate can help you concentrate better.

Some say that eating dark chocolate can help you concentrate better. Dark chocolate contains caffeine which is the basis for this claim. What’s more? The antioxidants in cocoa butter also help with concentration and cognition by improving blood circulation to your brain.

5. Dark chocolate improves cholesterol levels.

Lowering the bad cholesterol, or LDL is a well-known benefit of dark chocolate because it contains flavonoids. However, did you know that it can also help with increasing good cholesterol levels as well? This helps in improving your overall health and well-being.

Also read: What is the world’s most expensive chocolate?

6. Dark chocolate prevents tooth decay.

Even though dark chocolate is known to cause tooth decay, it actually reduces the risk of this health issue. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of cocoa butter help prevent cavities by reducing plaque buildup on the teeth. That’s why dark chocolate can be considered as part of your dental hygiene routine.

7. Dark chocolate can help control your blood sugar.

As we mentioned earlier dark chocolate contains caffeine and antioxidants that work together to lower insulin resistance and diabetes type 2 symptoms. Also, studies show that dark chocolate can reduce blood sugar. A bar of dark chocolate every day can be the solution for you.

8. Dark chocolate improves your mood.

Scientists discovered that chocolate triggers the production of serotonin hormone which is responsible for making you feel good. This can also help people who suffer from depression. Dark chocolate is considered a drug-free medicine to treat depression.

9. Dark chocolate helps your brain work better.

Eating dark chocolate every day can keep you focused, sharp, and in good spirits because it contains caffeine, antioxidants, and serotonin.

Scientists believe that eating dark chocolate every day might help delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia by keeping your brain healthy. Furthermore, dark chocolate is also believed to improve working memory due to its high antioxidant content.

10. Dark chocolate helps you rest better.

If you are having trouble falling or staying asleep, dark chocolate can help. Researchers found that some types of dark chocolate improve sleep quality and duration because it contains caffeine and cocoa, which is mild stimulant.

Other than relaxing your muscles, cocoa also provides the body with magnesium; this mineral relaxes blood vessels and muscles. However, this does not mean that you binge eat on it and eat slabs of dark chocolate blindly. In everything, moderation is key and this is what you must follow when eating dark chocolate also.

There are numerous questions about dark chocolate nutrition like: What is the best time to eat dark chocolate? What percentage of dark chocolate is healthy. How many squares of dark chocolate per day? Is dark chocolate good for your heart? Health benefits of dark chocolate for women. etc..