You Will Not Believe The Benefits Of Dark Chocolate

1. May Help With Weight Loss

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You may think that eating chocolate every day seems like the last way you could lose weight but research suggests dark chocolate may play a role in controlling your appetite.  Eating a small amount of dark chocolate before or after a meal can trigger hormones to the brain, signalling that you are full.

2. May Help Prevent Heart Disease Risk Or Stroke

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One of the benefits that researchers report could help improve heart health is eating dark chocolate. They reckon this is associated with a 10% lower risk of blocked arteries.  Out of 188,000 middle aged adults who ate 1 oz of dark chocolate, once a week over a year, they appeared to have a lower risk of coronary artery disease.

3. Could Help Control Food Cravings

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Chocolate is the most craved treat!  Indulging in cheap, mass-produced milk chocolate, won't stop those cravings.  In fact, it fuels them because of the high sugar content.  High quality dark chocolate is very satisfying, so you should find that your craving disappears after eating less of it.

4. May Help Relieve Stress

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Magnesium is an essential dietary mineral that is associated with reducing stress and anxiety.  It has been called "nature's Valium."  As dark chocolate contains magnesium, you may reap its benefits.  Dark chocolate is also thought to reduce stress as it can suppress the release of the stress hormone, cortisol.

5. May Play A Role In Cancer Prevention

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Evidence that dark chocolate contains properties that could help protect against certain cancers is limited but it is growing.  Antioxidants which are present in dark chocolate could protect our cells from damage caused by free radicals, the unstable oxygen molecules thought to be responsible for disease.

6. Could Reduce Risk Of Kidney Stones

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Milk chocolate can reportedly increase your chance of developing kidney stones, according to studies by the University of Maryland Medical Center.  On the other hand, dark chocolate could have the opposite effect and reduce your risk of kidney stones forming.

7. Dark Chocolate Adds Nutrients and Fiber

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Dark chocolate that has a 70% cocoa  content contains  plenty of essential nutrients.  It is high in iron, magnesium, manganese and copper.  It also contains calcium, potassium and zinc, with small traces of vitamins A, B, E and K.  These nutrients are beneficial for your gut health.

8. It Provides Antioxidants

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Antioxidants are compounds found in some foods that can help prevent damage to the cells in your body.  The cocoa bean’s natural defence chemical called polyphenols, found in dark chocolate, are a form of antioxidant.  Some cocoa powders have more antioxidants in them than super fruits like blueberries and pomegranates.

9. Dark Chocolate May Improves Blood Pressure

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Several studies show that adding chocolate to your diet could reduce blood pressure levels which may help protect against conditions like heart disease and stroke.  This is because it increases nitric acid in the body.  It could also help decrease fasting blood sugar levels as well.

10. It Could Help With Gut Health

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Much like the polyphenols found in fruits, nuts and seeds, those found in dark chocolate could act like rocket fuel for your gut microbes.  This is the opinion of Professor Tim Spector.   Cocoa is also a prebiotic which is a type of fiber that your gut bacteria digests.

11. It Supports Heart Health

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Flavanols are a polyphenol found in dark chocolate and theobromine is a natural compound found in cocoa.  This means dark chocolate can be good for you!  Research has linked both of these compounds to improved blood vessel function in people with or without heart issues.

12. It May Be Beneficial For Cholesterol Levels

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Polyphenols from dark chocolate can also benefit your cholesterol.  Studies suggest that they not only increase your levels of good cholesterol but they could also reduce bad cholesterol levels, improving your overall health.  Milk chocolate, with its high sugar content and saturated fat, has the opposite effect.

13. May Boost Brain Function

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Research has linked the flavanols in dark chocolate to improved oxygen levels, blood flow and nerve function in the brain.  These flavanols are also associated with increased nerve cell growth and improved memory.  Research in rats suggests flavanols could offer protection against dementia.

14. Could Help Improve Vision

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Early tests have shown that people who ate dark chocolate felt they had improved vision over  two hours after eating dark chocolate.  This result could not be associated with those who consumed milk chocolate.  More tests are required to determine how long that boost might last or how helpful it could be in the real world.

15. Could Lift Your Mood

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Many chocolate lovers believe that chocolate is a mood enhancer and science has suggested that we could be on to something.  The flavanols in dark chocolate stimulate the release of  endorphins, helping with mental wellbeing.  Cocoa compounds are also involved in producing serotonin, a neurotransmitter that boosts your mood.

16. It May Protect Your Skin

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Antioxidants can be great skin defenders and studies have suggested that eating dark chocolate that is rich in flavanols could help to protect your skin from UV light damage.  It may have a positive effect as well on skin elasticity and wrinkles.  These possible effects, however,  are not as established as some of dark chocolate's other benefits.

17. May Assist In Reducing Diabetes Risk

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Scientists have looked into whether flavanols such as those in dark chocolate could decrease the risk of type 2 diabetes.  The flavanols in dark chocolate may influence how your body deals with insulin.  Some studies have found that chocolate flavanols could improve insulin production.

18. What Percentage Of Dark Chocolate Is Healthy?

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The percentage of cocoa in dark chocolate is important as the more cocoa that the chocolate contains, the darker it is and the more health benefits it's likely to have. As the cocoa percentage increases, the chocolate is less likely to contain other ingredients such as sugar and dairy.

19. How Much Dark Chocolate Should You Consume?

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There isn't an official recommendations about how much dark chocolate you should eat for health benefits.  The key is in moderation and a chocolate expert advises 'less is more."  We should try and train ourselves to savor rather than munch our way through a whole bar.

20. It May Make You Smarter!

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You’ve already heard that eating dark chocolate can improve your ability to learn, remember and focus.  One study reports that the more dark  chocolate a country eats, the more Nobel Prize winners it has!  This fact was actually published in a serious medical journal.

21. The Best Time To Eat Dark Chocolate

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Although it sounds like everyone's idea of heaven, eating dark chocolate all day long is not ideal and it should be consumed in moderation.  According to research carried out at Tel Aviv University, morning is the best time to enjoy sweet treats,  dark chocolate included.

22. Caffeine Content

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The University of Kentucky College of Agriculture found that dark chocolate contains more caffeine than milk or white chocolate.  Consuming large amounts of dark chocolate can potentially lead to an increased heart rate, diarrhoea, nervousness, anxiety and dehydration.

23. Dark Chocolate During Pregnancy

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While there may be concerns in relation to whether or not it’s safe to eat chocolate overall, not just dark chocolate, during pregnancy, research has suggested that there are some benefits to doing so.  It could reduce the risk of developing preeclampsia and gestational hypertension.

24. May Reduce Depression

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Both theobromine and anandamide are components of dark chocolate which have been shown to reduce blood pressure and improve mood.  Another is phenethylamine which converts to serotonin, one of the most well known mood boosters.  The higher the cacao concentration, the ore positive the impact on mood and cognition.

25. Could Improve Athletic Performance

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Findings published in a sports nutrition journal are of the opinion that a little dark chocolate could boost oxygen availability during fitness training.  A study based on cyclists appeared to confirm this.  It contains flavanols known as epicatechins which enhance the release of nitric oxide in the body. Beetroot juice can give a similar effect.

26. Guilt Free And Delicious!

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The bottom line is that dark chocolate is not only delicious but it is healthy too. Of course, like most things in life, chocolate is best consumed in moderation. While indulging might be tempting, it’s better not to overdo it.  By nibbling on a few squares of dark chocolate, it satisfies the craving;

27. Dark Chocolate Can Make You Happy!

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Dark chocolate boosts the production of endorphins, the feel good chemical.  Endorphins bind with opiate receptors in the brain, to give a feeling of euphoria.  The feeling is similar to that of long distance joggers who get a "runners high."  Chocolate is a good source of tryptophan, the amino acid precursor to serotonin.

28. Light Versus Dark

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Manufacturers of milk chocolate claim that their product is better for health because of the calcium and protein it contains.  Supporters of dark chocolate, particularly with a high cocoa content, point to the higher iron content and the levels of antioxidants in their product.

29. The Darker The Better

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Before stocking up on chocolate bars, remember that it's dark chocolate that has been found to be beneficial and this is largely due to the high levels of cocoa flavanols.  Milk chocolate has not been shown to provide these benefits as it's made from cocoa butter, sugar and milk.

Who Invented Dark Chocolate?

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Dark chocolate history goes back over 3000 years.  Back then, it was the only form of chocolate available. It was developed around 1900 B.C. as a beverage and the Mayans and Aztecs made bitter, dark chocolate to drink at ceremonials and for medicinal purposes.