6 Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate
6 Healthy Benefits of Dark Chocolate is not intended to be medical advice. I am not a doctor. I am just a mid-life gal trying to live a healthier lifestyle by eating better and moving more.
Dark chocolate may seem like a sweet treat that we should forego while striving to live a healthy lifestyle. However, while you may want to turn away from the milk and white varieties of chocolate, dark chocolate actually offers several health benefits that can help us improve our lives and bodies.
Read on to find out six ways that eating dark chocolate in moderation (a small chunk every 1-2 days) can be beneficial to your healthy lifestyle choices!
Tip: Make sure you are eating the right quality of dark chocolate for maximum benefits. You want the pieces you eat to have 70-85% cocoa content.
6 Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate:
- Helps lowers risk of heart disease – Dark chocolate contains flavonoids, which are similar to antioxidants in how they help our bodies. They act as a shield for our cells, keeping them safe from free radicals that can cause heart disease.
- Is packed full of nutrients – A piece of dark chocolate with a high cocoa content can give us approximately 11 grams of fiber, 70% of the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of iron, and 55% of the RDA of magnesium. The food also contains an abundance of other minerals, including zinc, phosphorus, and copper.
- Helps reduce blood pressure – The flavonoids in dark chocolate can help our arteries relax. This will cause blood flow to improve and your blood pressure may even go down. If you suffer from hypertension, a small piece of dark chocolate each day may help you lower your blood pressure. (Of course, dark chocolate does not replace doctors advice or medication)
- Improves your mood – Not just the flavor of chocolate lifts your spirits. Dark chocolate actually contains phenylethylamine, the same chemical your brain naturally produces when you are in love with someone. It also contains serotonin, which helps to ward off depression. If you need a little pick me up, dark chocolate has a little caffeine, but much less than a cup of coffee. I need more pick me ups than I care to admit to.
- Contributes to good oral health – There is a sweet snack to help promote good oral health? It’s true! Dark chocolate has theobromine as one of its compounds. This helps strengthen the enamel on your teeth. Of course, you still need to brush and floss regularly to ensure your pearly whites stay free of issues! Please don’t tell your dentist that I told you to eat dark chocolate!
- Helps keep your skin protected – Since dark chocolate’s flavonoids may help improve blood flow, your skin will continue looking healthy as you age. The circulation can also help with hydration and density. Sun damage can also be prevented, to a certain degree, if you regularly eat dark chocolate.
Do you enjoy dark chocolate?
I knew that dark chocolate was good for me but never really knew all these details. Mmmm makes me want to go get a candy bar!!! LOL
I knew most of those but I had no idea it would help prevent cavities! I don’t eat many sweets and often when I am upset or stressed I will go for a small piece of dark chocolate and that does that trick! Do you notice that it helps you stay calm?
I never liked dark chocolate when I was younger, but I love it now. And it’s a plus that it has some health benefits too.
I’m so pleased to read about dark chocolate’s benefits – I adore dark chocolate! Thanks for sharing ?
Visited from From The Archives Friday
Uh, asking if I like dark chocolate is like asking if I’m hungry ?
Of course!
I had no clue there were dental benefits to chocolate…assuming you remove the brown staining on your teeth. Visiting #fromtheatchivesFriday
I am a big fan of dark chocolate – thank you for sharing with Pin Worthy Wednesday
I knew there was a reason I enjoy dark chocolate more then milk chocolate.
11 grams of fiber? OMG I need to use this as part of my daily diet. I just wonder how many calories that would be.
Michele, I am always up for hearing anything positive about chocolate! I have chosen this as one of my featured faves from last week’s Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop. I will be featuring you on my site this week.
Shellie
http://www.thefabjourney.com
If I needed an excuse to eat dark chocolate, these would be great! But I just eat it anyway! LOL Thanks for sharing at FTAF! pinned!
Ill take any excuse to eat dark chocolate! Sign me up!
I would love it if you would share this post on my weekly link-up : )
http://www.twentysomethinginthe2010s.com/peace-love-linkup-002/
I loved this! Delicious and nutritious? Yes! Thanks for sharing at Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop!
Mmmm. I love that 90% stuff…in fact, I’m going to go have some now! It’s better than coffee for the get-up-and-go!
http://GypsyRoadSchool.blogspot.com
Michele, I love dark chocolate! I’m glad you said a small chunk every couple of days, I go overboard often!
Finally a treat that tastes food and is good for you! Thanks for sharing these facts.
thanks for these! definitely makes me feel a lot better about my chocolate love 🙂
See, I always knew dark chocolate was good for us!
I DO enjoy dark chocolate, and I’ll enjoy it even more now! Thanks! Lol!
Dark chocolate is so much better than milk.. in taste and health benefits 🙂