You probably don’t need another reason to indulge in dark chocolate, but we’re going to give you some anyway! Here are 7 reasons not to pass on chocolate this Valentine’s Day – at least not dark chocolate!
Fights Free Radicals. Dark chocolate comes from the cacao plant, which is rich in flavanoids and antioxidants. These antioxidants help protect our cells from damage caused by free radicals, fighting the aging process and reducing inflammation.
Prevents Heart Disease. Studies show that people who eat more chocolate have significantly lower risk for heart disease, with people who eat the most dark chocolate weekly having a 37% lower risk of any heart disease compared to those who eat the least amount.
Decreases Stroke Risk. A recent Swedish study found that women who ate about two candy bars per week had a 20% lower risk of stroke, and a British study found that percentage to be even higher at 30%!
Improves Vision. Researchers from the University of Reading in England tested the eyesight of 30 healthy adults, 18 to 25 years old, after they ate white and dark chocolates. The subjects performed better on vision tests after eating the dark chocolate. Researchers think it’s because the flavanols in dark chocolate improve blood flow to the brain and retina as well.
Boosts Mood. Chocolate makes you feel better! According to studies, chocolate stimulates the neural activity in brain regions associated with pleasure and reward.
Helps Prevent Cancer. Some preliminary studies from Europe, Asia, and North America have shown that people who eat many flavonoids or a lot of antioxidant-rich chocolate develop fewer cancers than those who don’t consume them.
May Help You Live Longer. Sure, if dark chocolate helps prevent cancer and heart disease, and reduce the risk of stroke and other illnesses, of course it’ll make you live longer! But for some scientific evidence: a Harvard University study found that one or two doses of dark chocolate per week could help you live longer. Researchers compared men who ate chocolate with those who didn’t and found that the former group lived one year longer.
The darker the chocolate, the better! Avoid the processed stuff and look for organic dark chocolate with at least 65% cacao. Dark chocolate is still high in calories and fat, so keep it below 2 ounces a day!
