Chocolate has a bad reputation because of the amount of sugar and high fat it contains. It has even been associated with different health problems such as obesity, high blood pressure and heart disease.
However, there is still some good news for chocoholics; eating chocolate, in moderation, is okay. There may even be some health benefits that come with it.
Chocolate can improve cognitive function. Researchers at Harvard University found that adults who drank two cups of hot chocolate every day for a month experienced an increased blood flow to the part of the brain used for memory.
Another 2012 study from Harvard, gave more evidence on how the cocoa flavonoids in chocolate affect the brain. The study was done in Italy, and the results showed that older adults with mild cognitive impairments who drank high-flavonoid cocoa did better when tested on mental function and speaking ability than those who drank low-flavonoid cocoa. This is due to the fact that more blood flows to the brain, improving one’s memory and focus.
While the study did not find any evidence of chocolate preventing dementia or other forms of mental decline, it does appear to have some positive impacts on the brain. This is especially true for dark chocolate, which has even more flavonoids than milk chocolate.
In addition, chocolate can increase heart health. The flavonoids in dark chocolate have been shown to lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of clotting and increase blood circulation to the heart, which decreases the risk of stroke according to John Hopkins University. The antioxidants in dark chocolate can even reduce bad cholesterol, blood pressure levels and prevent plaque from growing on artery walls in the heart.
People who ate dark chocolate also reported feeling less stressed. There is a reduced amount of cortisol after eating dark chocolate. This may be because stress increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, and eating dark chocolate has effects on heart health.
Not only can chocolate reduce stress levels, but it can also improve one’s overall mood. Chocolate produces serotonin, a neurotransmitter that produces feelings of happiness. Dark chocolate also stimulates the production of endorphins in the brain, and it stimulates the brain in the same way as cannabis according to the BBC.
Dark chocolate also has magnesium, zinc, iron, phosphorus and copper, which are all important minerals for maintaining energy and overall good health.
Another benefit that chocolate offers is that it is high in flavanols such as epicatechin and catechin, which both help protect cells from inflammation. There are phenolic acids in chocolate, as well, which also protect against inflammation.
Some of the best brands of chocolate to eat include: Hershey’s, M&Ms, Ghirardelli, Cadbury, Lindt and Dove. Any kind of chocolate that has peanut butter in it, such as Reese’s, is also good.
Next time you eat some chocolate, do not feel guilty too about it; instead, think about all the benefits that it might have on your health.
Vanessa Werner can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @VanessaRWerner