Nutritious Snacking

Chocolate is rich in fiber, iron, magnesium, copper, and manganese.  It also contains a decent amount of soluble fiber and plenty of potassium, phosphorus, zinc, and selenium.  The fatty acid content in both light and dark chocolate is also good. While dark chocolate contains stimulants like caffeine and something called “theobromine,” it is unlikely to keep you awake at night, as the amount of caffeine in chocolate is very small in comparison to a cup of coffee. 

A Great Source of Antioxidants

Basically, researchers ran a bunch of studies and determined chocolate is considered rich in antioxidants.  What they found is that dark chocolate (in particular) is loaded with organic compounds that are biologically active and function as antioxidants. These include elements called “polyphenols,” “flavanols” and “catechins,” among others. According to research, the polyphenols in dark chocolate may help lower some forms of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol when combined with other foods like almonds and cocoa.  Did you follow all that?  Well, get this - one study even showed that light and dark chocolate had more antioxidant activity, polyphenols, and flavanols than any other fruits tested, including blueberries and acai berries!  At the end of the day, light and dark chocolate both have a wide variety of powerful antioxidants. In fact, they have way more than most other foods! 

Heart Disease

Research shows there can be a reduction in heart disease risk among those who consume a moderate amount of chocolate.  The elements in dark chocolate appear to be highly protective against the oxidation of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol.  In the long term, this means that less cholesterol lodges in the arteries, resulting in a lower risk of heart disease. In fact, some research has shown a fairly drastic improvement which is awesome! 

Blood Flow and Lower Blood Pressure

Many studies show that light and dark chocolate can improve blood flow and lower blood pressure.  It is possible, however, that people who are already receiving treatment for high blood pressure may not receive much, if any, additional benefit from adding chocolate to their diet.  However, studies have also shown that eating chocolate three times per week actually lowered the risk of cardiovascular disease by nine percent!  Another study suggested that eating 45 grams of chocolate a week lowers cardiovascular disease risk by eleven percent!  But don’t get too excited because consuming more than 100 grams per week of chocolate does not appear to produce any extra health benefits.  Finally, a 2017 clinical trial found that individuals who consumed almonds with or without dark chocolate showed improved LDL cholesterol levels.  Go figure! 

Reduces High Cholesterol; Improves Insulin Sensitivity

Enjoying a piece of dark chocolate has also been found to significantly decrease levels of total cholesterol, LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, and triglycerides.  The ingredients in chocolate lower what is called “oxidation-prone” forms of LDL because it contains an abundance of powerful antioxidants that ultimately end up in the bloodstream.  The ingredients in dark chocolate can also reduce insulin resistance.  Just be mindful that dark chocolate also contains sugar, which can have the opposite effect on insulin resistance if too much is consumed. 

Protection from the Sun

The ingredients in dark chocolate may also be great for your skin.  Studies have shown that the ingredients in chocolate can improve blood flow to the skin and protect it from sun damage.  Something called “minimal erythemal dose” or MED is the minimum amount of UV rays required to cause redness in the skin 24 hours after exposure.  Studies have shown that MED can increase and even double after consuming dark chocolate.  The result is that your skin has better protection from the sun.  If you’re planning a beach vacation, consider enjoying some extra dark chocolate in the prior weeks and months.  But be sure to check with your doctor or dermatologist before forgoing your normal skin care routine in favor of replacing it with dark chocolate.  And remember that chocolate cannot replace sunscreen and other forms of sun protection. 

Brain Function

The good news isn’t over yet.  Dark chocolate may also improve the function of your brain.  Studies show that eating chocolate can improve blood flow to the brain in young adults. This may explain why eating chocolate every day appears to improve attention, verbal learning, and memory!  The ingredients in chocolate may also help maintain cognitive function in older adults with mild cognitive impairment and reduce the chance of progressing to dementia.  Additionally, chocolate contains stimulant substances like caffeine and some “theobromine” stuff, which may be a key reason why it can improve brain function in the short term. 

Moderation . . . Wait, What?! 

Of course, all the research and studies do not mean we should consume tons of chocolate each day.  It is still loaded with calories and easy to overeat.  Consider a bit of “moderation” (yes, we really suggested that) which probably means enjoying a piece or two at a time, rather than devouring an entire bag, box, bucket or basket in one sitting! 

Smiles!

At the end of the day, don’t take our word for it!  Do your research on the health benefits of chocolate and then shop our vast selection of delicious and nutritious treats!  We will be here waiting to help you create that big smile!