Everyone wants to be healthy. But does the thought of limiting yourself to salads and plain chicken breasts fill you with dread? Don’t worry. Eating healthy doesn’t have to have to be challenging a bore. You can nourish your body by eating chocolate!
Research suggests that people who eat the sweet stuff are thinner, happier, and healthier.
Chocolate is a feast of fat and calories. Your body is programmed to respond to it. When you bite into a delectable piece of Japanese chocolate, your brain’s pleasure centers are activated.
Dark chocolate provides the biggest benefits but you can still get a boost from lighter, milkier varieties.
Here are 9 reasons why you should munch on chocolate.
1. It’s Nutritious
Chocolate gets a bad rap. However, it can actually be pretty nutritious. If you purchase a bar that’s rich with real cocoa, you’ll get a lot of fiber and minerals. A 100-gram bar with at least 70% cocoa contains almost a full day’s amount of copper and manganese along with a hefty dose of iron and potassium.
This doesn’t mean that you should start scarfing down chocolate three meals a day. Moderation is key.
2. It’ll Help Keep You Fit
Eating chocolate can help you lose weight. The antioxidants found in dark chocolate reduce inflammation, which can allow your immune system to flourish as well as speed up your metabolism.
If you’re eating chocolate because you want to sidle into a pair of last year’s jeans, stick to the dark variety. Milk chocolate is too sugary.
3. It Reduces Cholesterol
Eating cocoa has been linked with a reduction in “bad” cholesterol levels and an increase in the “good” kind.
4. It Sharpens Your Brain
Have a big test coming up? Eat a piece of chocolate before you start. A team of British researchers ran a study comparing how people performed on math exams when they consumed chocolate first. The chocolate-eaters outperformed the control group.
5. It’s Good for Your Skin
Glowing, healthy skin will make you younger. Don’t believe the common misconception that chocolate triggers acne breakouts. The reality is that chocolate is actually really good for your skin. The flavonoids found in cocoa provide protection from harmful UV rays.
6. It May Improve Your Blood Pressure
Although the effect is mild, multiple peer-reviewed studies have demonstrated that cocoa-consumption can improve someone’s blood pressure. The flavanols found in dark chocolate can trigger the production of nitric oxide by stimulating the lining of your arteries. Nitric oxide signals to your arteries that they can relax, increasing your blood flow.
7. It Helps New Mothers
Pregnant women who eat chocolate are less stressed than those who abstain. Even more striking, researchers noted that the babies of the chocolate-eating mothers smiled more frequently.
Chocolate can really make you feel good.
8. It Protects from Free Radicals
Free radicals are unstable, unpaired atoms that can wreak havoc on your cells. Exposure to toxic substances and environmental compounds can cause free radicals. Antioxidants can mitigate the damage. Chocolate is packed with antioxidants like polyphenols and flavonoids.
9. Improved Eyesight
A study published by JAMA Ophthalmology found that adults who consumed chocolate before an eye exam performed 40% better than those who didn’t. Even more interesting, the study authors concluded the benefits weren’t confined to dark chocolate. Eating milk chocolate also provided a temporary vision boost.
Chocolate is a delicious way to get extra nutrients. The candy bars on sale at the gas station are loaded with sugar and probably shouldn’t become a staple of your diet. However, there is a lot of evidence to show that having a small square of dark chocolate every day can be beneficial.
People love chocolate. Every year the average American eats 12 pounds of chocolate a year. Europeans eat even more. Unlike most candies and sweets, chocolate is packed with health benefits. If people consumed more cocoa-rich dark chocolate rather than milkier varieties, the benefits would become more apparent.
So, instead of buying low-quality, cheap chocolate, indulge yourself and try a premium brand. For many, the health benefits are worth the extra cost.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
