It’s no secret that chocolate may actually be healthier for you than previously believed. For fans of dark chocolate, the news is about to get even sweeter: new and emerging research suggests that this dark variety boosts heart health as well.
Dark chocolate, which is made with less dairy than the average milk chocolate bar, is typically made up of anywhere from 50% to 99% cacao (ingredients from cacao beans). In general, the higher the percentage, the more bitter the chocolate.
Image Source: Jobet Palmaira
In a study conducted at Louisiana State University, young, healthy participants who consumed a small piece of chocolate containing seventy percent cacao each day had better heart function and blood flow through the arteries. These effects are likely due to the good bacteria in the gut, which produce heart-healthy anti-inflammatory compounds from chocolate exposure.
Dark chocolate may also increase sensitivity to insulin, which is vital to preventing the development of diabetes. Other potential health benefits include lowering blood pressure, raising good cholesterol levels, protecting skin from sun damage, and improving brain function.
So, if you’re a chocolate lover like me—milk, dark, and everything in between—don’t feel guilty about a little self-indulging when it comes to dark chocolate. Be mindful that you shouldn’t consume an entire chocolate bar in one sitting. Nonetheless, you may be doing your taste buds and your body a favor with that small square of smooth dark chocolate.
