5 Health benefits of chocolate

February 20, 2014

IT is said that over one billion dollars worth of chocolate is sold each year on Valentine’s Day. Besides tasting incredible, chocolate — especially dark chocolate — is full of antioxidants and good fats with many benefits that can improve your overall health.

Here are five health benefits of chocolate.

1. Good for the Heart

Could some chocolate a day keep the doctor away? Research says that just may be the case.

According to studies published in the the Journal of Nutrition and the British Medical Journal (or, BMJ), consuming chocolate could help improve your heart health.

Chocolate has been found to lower your LDL-cholesterol levels and can also lower the risk of developing heart disease. But don’t go too crazy on this sweet treat, as moderation is the key to reaping the health benefits.

2. Curbs Appetite

Next time you’re fighting those cravings to overeat, reach for a piece of dark chocolate.A study published in Nutrition & Diabetes found that those who consumed 100 grams of dark chocolate felt fuller and less hungry after eating it.

Researchers hypothesized that the fat in the dark chocolate, as well as the intense flavor, could act as an appetite suppressant and curb cravings. So dark chocolate may just be the perfect dessert if you’re watching your waistline.

3. Natural Skin Protectant

If you’re planning on spending some time in the sun, you may want to indulge in a piece of chocolate first. A study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that consuming high flavanol cocoa — not lathering it on top of skin — can protect the skin from UV rays.

Eating cocoa decreased the skin’s sensitivity to UV light and increased blood flow, skin thickness, and hydration, as well as reduced skin scaling. This is definitely no reason to ditch the sunscreen, but chocolate can be an added benefit and a great excuse to eat some dessert.

4. Mood Booster

If you’re suffering from a case of the winter blues, a hot cup of cocoa may just do the trick. Chocolate is high in the amino acid tryptophan, which increases serotonin in the brain and naturally uplifts one’s mood.

Studies have found that even just the smell of chocolate can make us feel happy, slowing down brain waves and calming the body. Chocolate has also been shown to release endorphins as well increase libido.

5. Improves Vision

Most of us know that eating carrots can improve eyesight, but what about chocolate? According to a study from England’s University of Reading, dark chocolate can help improve your ability to see — especially in low-contrast situations such as poor weather.

Researchers believe that the high concentrations of antioxidants in dark chocolate can contribute to keeping your eyes in tip-top shape in the long run — another great excuse to indulge in this sweet treat.

Source: Malaysian Digest
Published: 17 Feb 2014

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