6 Health Benefits of Eating Dark Chocolate

If your sweet tooth craves chocolate, there are plenty of reasons to surrender to your cravings and indulge.

Dark chocolate is loaded with nutrients that can positively affect your health.  Made from the seed of the cocoa tree, it is one of the best sources of antioxidants on the planet.  Cacao offers a number of health benefits from helping to control blood sugar to lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease because it contains flavonols, which are a type of antioxidant that has been shown to improve blood flow and can protect against sun-induced damage, improve blood flow to the skin and increase skin density and hydration. 

Bottom Line:  Quality dark chocolate has various nutritional perks so enjoying a delicious treat that has at least 65% cacao can be guilt-free if you don’t overdo it.

Nutritional Perks of Dark Chocolate

HEART-HEALTHY

Dark chocolate has been shown to improve blood flow and possibly prevent blood clots. It also helps lower blood pressure ad may help keep arteries from hardening.

BRAIN FOOD

Because chocolate increases blood flow to the brain, it can be a boost to your cognitive health.

MOOD CHANGER

Chocolate also contains phenylethylamine (PEA), which encourages your brain to release endorphins that make you feel good.

CANCER FIGHTER

Antioxidants in chocolate help rid your system of free radicals, which have been linked to multiple age-related health risks and diseases.

SOMETHING TO SMILE ABOUT

Theobromine, found in dark chocolate, helps harden tooth enamel, which helps prevent cavities.

SUN BLOCKER

Some studies show that people with diets high in flavonols take longer to burn in the sun than people with low flavonol diets.

Article reviewed by Dr. Barbara Ryan, MD