Health benefits of eating chocolate
Scientific studies have
shown that chocolate has the feel-good factor, thanks to a mix of
mood-elevating chemicals, including caffeine, theobromine, tyrosine and
tryptophan, and its delicious taste. It's important to opt for dark chocolate
with a high cocoa solid content, where possible, as it offers more
health benefits than milk chocolate, it is also lower in fat and
contains antioxidants.
And in fact, the very latest research suggests that eating chocolate could help keep your brain function whirring into old age.
Here are ten scientifically established health benefits of good chocolate.
1. It's good for the heart and circulation
A recent study found that dark chocolate helps restore flexibility to arteries while also preventing white blood cells from sticking to the walls of blood vessels - both common causes of artery clogging.
2. It reduces risk of stroke
Researchers in Finland
have found that chocolate consumption lowers the risk of suffering a
stroke - by a staggering 17 per cent average in the group of men they
tested.
3. It's mineral rich
Dark chocolate is packed with beneficial minerals such as potassium, zinc and selenium, and a 100g bar of dark (70 per cent or more) choc provides 67 per cent of the RDA of iron. Chocolate is an unlikely source of iron Credit: Alamy
3. It's mineral rich
Dark chocolate is packed with beneficial minerals such as potassium, zinc and selenium, and a 100g bar of dark (70 per cent or more) choc provides 67 per cent of the RDA of iron. Chocolate is an unlikely source of iron Credit: Alamy
4. It's good for your skin
The flavonols in dark chocolate can protect the skin against sun damage (though you'd probably better still slap on some sun cream).
5. It can help you lose weight
Chocolate can help you lose weight. Really. Neuroscientist Will Clower says a small square of good choc melted on the tongue 20 minutes before a meal triggers the hormones in the brain that say “I’m full”, cutting the amount of food you subsequently consume. Finishing a meal with the same small trigger could reduce subsequent snacking.
Chocolate can help you lose weight. Really. Neuroscientist Will Clower says a small square of good choc melted on the tongue 20 minutes before a meal triggers the hormones in the brain that say “I’m full”, cutting the amount of food you subsequently consume. Finishing a meal with the same small trigger could reduce subsequent snacking.
6. It's good for mothers and babies
A Finnish study found that chocolate reduced stress in expectant mothers, and that the babies of such mothers smiled more often than the offspring of non-chocolate-eating parents.
7. It may prevent diabetes
It sounds mad, but cocoa has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity. So dark chocolate - in moderation - might delay or prevent the onset of diabetes.
A Finnish study found that chocolate reduced stress in expectant mothers, and that the babies of such mothers smiled more often than the offspring of non-chocolate-eating parents.
7. It may prevent diabetes
It sounds mad, but cocoa has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity. So dark chocolate - in moderation - might delay or prevent the onset of diabetes.
8. Chocolate is good for the brain
Flavanols are thought to reduce memory loss in older people, and the anti-inflamatory qualities of dark chocolate have been found beneficial in treating brain injuries such as concussion.
Flavanols are thought to reduce memory loss in older people, and the anti-inflamatory qualities of dark chocolate have been found beneficial in treating brain injuries such as concussion.
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