If you are a fan of the sweet stuff, you probably jumped for joy at the good news this week. Chocolate has since become an incredibly popular food product that millions indulge in everyday for its unique, rich, and sweet taste. Here some health benefits of chocolate.
* Full of NutritionIf you buy quality dark chocolate with a high cocoa content, then it is actually quite nutritious. It contains a decent amount of soluble fiber and is loaded with minerals. The fatty acid profile of cocoa and dark chocolate is excellent.
* Good HeartDark chocolate is good for your heart. A small bar of it every day can help keep your heart and cardiovascular system running well. Two heart health benefits of dark chocolate are: Reduce Lower Blood Pressure and Lower Cholesterol.
* Skin Protection from SunThe bioactive compounds in dark chocolate may also be great for your skin. The flavonols can protect against sun-induced damage, improve blood flow to the skin and increase skin density and hydration.
* Better Brain FunctionThe good news isn't over yet. Dark chocolate may also improve the function of the brain. One study of healthy volunteers showed that 5 days of consuming high-flavanol cocoa improved blood flow to the brain. Cocoa may also significantly improve cognitive function in elderly people with mental impairment. It also improves verbal fluency and several risk factors for disease.
* Mood BoosterEnjoying food is part of enjoying life. Chocolate eaters also report feeling less stressed.