5 Ways Dark Chocolate Can Help Nourish Your Body — We’re Not Kidding!

We all know the basics of eating healthy:  cut the sugar, the carbs, the fats, eat more veggies, etc.

But today, we’re here to tell you that the next time you’re at the grocery store, don’t be afraid to take a trip down to the dessert section and grab yourself some chocolate — all in the name of health!

Authority Nutrition has summed up what’s already been proven, and that’s the fact that dark chocolate is loaded with nutrients that have a positive effect on your health. Dark chocolate is actually considered to be one of the best sources of antioxidants on the planet.

The key to understand here is that we’re talking about dark chocolate with 70-85% cocoa — not milk chocolate and specially not white chocolate. Rule of thumb — the lighter the chocolate is in color, the more fat and sugar has been added to it to make it of course, sweeter.

Note that we’re not telling you to go out, splurge and binge on chocolate; moderation is always key. Maybe limit yourself to one to two squares of dark chocolate after dinner. Also remember quality over quantity by reading labels thoroughly to make sure you are going for something organic, as close to pure cocoa as you can. Thus the reason going for chocolate with 70-85% cocoa is preferred.

But let’s cut down to the chase and tell you the top five reasons why dark chocolate is encouraged to help nourish your body:

It improves blood flow: Dark chocolate is made up of flavonoids, which is nothing but a fancy word for a chemical that helps arteries relax, which in result helps improve blood flow. Improving blood flow of course, also prevents blood clots.

Lowers the risk of heart disease: The compounds in dark chocolate fight bad cholesterol, lower the risk of a heart attack, stroke and heart failure.

Improves brain function: Dark chocolate increases blood flow to the brain.

Helps prevent diabetes: An Italian study that focused on 15 people who ate about three ounces of dark chocolate a day for 15 days found that their insulin resistance was lowered significantly. Please keep in mind that we’re talking about chocolate with NO added sugars or fat.

Reduce stress: Chocolate and wine anyone? Turns out, chocolate does make a person happy as it helps produce the stress-busting hormone endorphin.

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Helps Fight Fatigue: Dark chocolate enhances the actions of the transmitters in your brain, like serotonin to help regulate your mood and sleep.

Other reasons why dark chocolate is such a power food is for its high anti-inflammatory properties, it’s loaded with antioxidants, boosts energy and may also reduce glaucoma and symptoms of cataracts.

But the last and most important benefit to eating dark chocolate is of course, the awesome taste.

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