Chocolate is something we all tend to crave, but usually feel guilty about eating afterwards. It is so hard because chocolate is so tasty and can be so addicting at times. What a lot of people don’t know is that chocolate is actually good for you, as it can improve your health. So after you learn about the following health benefits, you don’t have to feel bad about eating chocolate anymore.
When we think about chocolate, some people think about Reese’s Pieces, or Butterfingers, or even white chocolate chips, while others may think of dark chocolate candies. Although we all can agree that chocolate is delicious, know that not all chocolate is healthy for you. Some have a lot of unhealthy sugars and other processed ingredients in them.
Many people shy away from chocolate, believing it is bad for their health. However, researchers have discovered that it in fact does a body good. Eaten in small moderation, and sticking as close to dark chocolate products with at least a 70% cacao rate as possible, you can improve your health in the following ways:
Cough Suppressant
According to WebMD, a recent study showed that cocoa contains theobromine, which is actually more effective in suppressing a cough than most cough medicines are.
On another plus side, chocolate tastes better than cough syrups do. But most importantly, this is a route you can take that does not have any harmful side effects like a lot of medications have.
Curbs Hunger
Based on the research conducted at the Mayo Clinic, cacao contains a high amount of fiber which can make you feel fuller longer, thus curbing any extra hunger cravings you may have. By feeling full, you don’t tend to overeat, and by not overeating you can maintain a healthy weight.
Fights Diabetes
Eating the right kind of chocolate can help fight off diabetes, according to Dr. Mercola. The flavanols found in chocolate can help reduce your insulin resistance while simultaneously stabilizing your glucose levels.
Since obesity can also lead to diabetes, regular snacking on chocolate can maintain a healthy weight, combined with regulating your blood sugar levels to prevent you from getting the disease.
Improves Memory
According to PBS, chocolate can help improve your memory as you age. Your memory skills can actually improve as you get older, thanks in part to the flavanols from the cocoa beans of dark chocolate. Although it may not ward off Alzheimer’s disease entirely, it can slow the decline of your memory.
Mood Booster
This should come as no surprise, as how often has a piece of chocolate made your day better after you ate it? According to CNN, consuming chocolate can improve your mood when you are feeling down in the dumps.
They do caution however, that eating too much chocolate can lead to depressive feelings, so it is better to limit yourself on how much you consume, especially in one sitting.
Protects Cardiovascular Health
According to the Cleveland Clinic, the cocoa beans found in dark chocolate contain what are called flavonoids. These are found in plants and are what they use to repair damage and to protect themselves from environmental toxins. It also contains antioxidants and flavanols, which can help lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, and can help ward off various types of cancers.
Skin Protector
The cocoa flavanols can improve the circulation of your blood as well as hydrate your skin, according to Prevention.
The more regularly you consume cocoa flavanols, the less rough and scaly your skin will appear on the outside too. This can also help you reduce your use of chemicals that you put on your skin, which can have an overall negative effect on your health in the long run.
Now that you know there are health benefits to eating chocolate, you don’t need to feel guilty anymore after you eat some. Just remember to try and stick with eating dark chocolate regularly, and save the processed chocolate for special occasions.
There are many different ways that you can consume chocolate without it having to come from candy bars. You can add some dark chocolate chips to your banana pancakes in the morning, add it into your muffins and baked breads, or even make a dark chocolate pie for the holidays.
