No matter what time of the year it is, chocolate is a delicious snack and with Christmas around the corner, you may find yourself wanting to indulge. If it's one of your favorites, you don’t have to feel guilty about indulging. Instead, you can take advantage of the many health benefits of dark chocolate!
The darker you go, the more benefits you get, so aim for a bar with at least 70% cacao.
Milk chocolate has a lower percentage of cacao solids with higher sugar and fat content.
White chocolate contains no cacao solids at all. This means milk chocolate and white chocolate are not as beneficial.
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Don't want to give up on those chocolate cravings? Here are seven reasons why you can enjoy dark chocolate guilt-free:
7. Lower Blood Pressure
Flavanols stimulate the cells in the walls of your arteries to produce nitric oxide, which helps the arteries relax, improves blood flow, and lowers blood pressure. This ultimately reduces your risk of heart disease and stroke.
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6. Improve Heart Health
Cocoa contains antioxidants called polyphenols and flavanols, which protect the heart.
One study showed that people who ate dark chocolate more than five times per week had a 57% lower risk of heart disease.
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This is believed to occur due to the effect on blood pressure and cholesterol.
5. Improve Cholesterol Profile
Polyphenols and theobromine (a chemical similar to caffeine) found in dark chocolate lower the bad cholesterol, LDL and raise good cholesterol, HDL. These compounds also reduce the amount of LDL which is oxidized.
Overall, this reduces the amount of plaque buildup in your arteries.
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4. Reduce Your Risk Of Cancer
The antioxidants in dark chocolate also protect your cells from free radical damage. Free radicals lead to oxidative stress, chronic inflammation and diseases such as cancer.
3. Better Brain Function
Dark chocolate, which is rich in flavanol, increases blood supply to the brain and can help prevent Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Cacao also contains stimulants such as caffeine and theobromine, which are linked to better brain function and improved cognition.
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2. Can Help You Lose Weight
This might sound counterintuitive but research has shown that dark chocolate can curb your appetite by stimulating hormones that signal to your brain that you’re full. Dark chocolate can also reduce your craving for salty and sweet snacks.
1. Can Improve Your Skin
Don't just feel better, look better too! The antioxidants in dark chocolate protect the skin from being damaged by the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. Dark chocolate is also rich in minerals and vitamins such as iron, magnesium, and zinc, which are good for your skin.
Dark chocolate is high in calories and can lead to weight gain if you consume too much. Therefore, you get the greatest health benefits if you only eat modest amounts. One to two small squares per day should suffice.
Dr. Kelly N. Wood, MD is an internal medicine physician, board-certified in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism. Dr. Kelly is currently in clinical practice in Atlanta, Georgia.
Through a multi-dimensional platform that addresses the mind, body, and spirit, Dr. Kelly lives out her passion to help others achieve total wellness and lead a balanced life. She makes expert health and wellness advice accessible to all through speaking engagements, media appearances, her Facebook show, and personal blog (drkellywoodmd.com).
Beyond the stethoscope, Dr. Kelly is recognized as “The Bounce Back Coach,” helping high-performing women to bounce back from failed relationships rebuild their self-esteem and reclaim their identity. Her debut book, “Bounce Back to Better: Recovering from the Disappointment of a Failed Relationship,” walks readers through her personal journey of reconstructing her life after her engagement ended.
Please connect with Dr. Kelly at [email protected]
