Here is Why Dark Chocolate is Healthy for You in Moderation

What if we told you that eating dark chocolate could clear your complexion, lower your blood pressure, and reduce your risk of heart failure?

The benefits of dark chocolate might seem like some too-good-to-be-true scam, but it’s true, it really is good for you- in moderation of course. But the benefits depend on the type of chocolate in which you choose to indulge.

There have been several reports claiming that chocolate is one of the most dangerous desserts. Yes, milk chocolate has less nutrients, and more sugar as well as calories. However, there are several types of chocolates, and not every type is harmful. Candies, white chocolate and milk chocolate may contribute to obesity and increasing blood sugar but dark chocolate with nearly 70%-80% cocoa content actually helps control several diseases. Here are 10 health benefits of dark chocolate:

# Loaded with Minerals

Dark chocolate is packed full of things that are good for you. In a bar containing 70-85% cocoa and weighing 100 grams, you’ll get 11 grams of fiber, 98% of your day’s manganese, potassium, 89% of the day’s copper, zinc, 67% of your day’s iron, phosphorus, and selenium. 100 grams anything is quite a lot, but eating smaller amounts of the treatment will still get you some nutrients.

# Antioxidants

Dark chocolate contains more antioxidants than most foods and that level increases when you get dark chocolate with different kinds of fruit mixed into it. You can get dark chocolate with blueberries, acai berries, figs, and pineapple.

# Lowers Chances of Disease

Eating moderate amounts of dark chocolate can lower your chances of getting low blood pressure, high cholesterol, and it reduces insulin resistance. Chocolate does this in part to the antioxidant levels, the bioactive compounds, and in part to the minerals in the chocolate protecting lipoproteins.

# Prevents Heart Disease

Consuming dark chocolate can lessen the buildup of cholesterol around the arteries, and it can break up calcified plaque within your arteries.

# Sunscreen that Comes from Within

Flavonoids and bioactive compounds found in dark chocolate can improve blood flow to your skin so that it can better protect itself from the sun. When going on a vacation to some exotic and/or tropic location, try eating dark chocolate roughly five times a week in addition to using sunscreen.

# Fights Cancer

This is another surprising fun fact about the flavonoids in dark chocolate. This isn’t 100 percent verified, but some studies have shown that the flavonoids the cocoa help to prevent different kinds of cancer.

# Improves Eyesight

Another rumor or test in progress is that dark chocolate can to improve eyesight. No-one knows for sure this works or not, but there’s no downside to trying. You eat dark chocolate and your eyesight gets better. If your eyesight does not improve, then you are still eating chocolate.

# Lower BMI

Small amounts of dark chocolate a couple times a week, mixed with light exercise is a great tag team for lowering your body mass index.

# Stops Inflammation

The microbes in the dark chocolate are good for your heart tissues and reduce the chances of a stroke. The antioxidants and fiber aren’t digested until they get to your colon. This gives the compounds more time to work into the body so that they have more effect on your heart tissue.