Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate

Chocolate has long been thought of as the antithesis of healthy food. When people are considering going on a diet, desserts, especially chocolate, are the first things to go. In fact, milk chocolate is considered bad for you. There are very little positive effects from milk chocolate except for maybe the fact that it releases endorphins which make you happy. In all actuality, the true health factors lie in dark chocolate. Like with any sweets, dark chocolate is best eaten in moderation. In small doses, this delectable dessert is known to have health properties that will benefit you in many areas. If you do feel guilty about having a nibble of this dark chocolaty goodness, remember these facts.

It’s Heart Healthy

You wouldn’t think eating a dessert could be good for your heart, but in all actuality, dark chocolate has several ways it can boost your heart’s health. For starters, just one small bar of dark chocolate a day has the potential to lower your blood pressure. It works best with people who have high blood pressure to begin with. It also has the potential to lower cholesterol as well. In some cases it has reduced LDL (the “bad” cholesterol) by up to ten percent!

It Helps Your Mental Health Too

Ever wonder why you feel so happy after eating a piece of chocolate? It’s because the tasty treat stimulates endorphins in your brain. Endorphins are what give off a feeling of pleasure and satisfaction and nibbling on chocolate helps you feel that way. It also contains serotonin which is actually an anti-depressant and can keep you feeling happy, longer. Another benefit: now that you know dark chocolate is beneficial you won’t feel guilty about eating it which will make you even happier.

Get The Most Out Of Your Chocolate

To get the best benefits out of consuming dark chocolate, there are some tips to follow. Like with any dessert, dark chocolate can be detrimental to your waistline if you consume too much. In small doses, dark chocolate can be beneficial but like anything else, it needs to be eaten in moderation. There are some other guidelines for eating dark chocolate such as: •Be conscious of what kind of dark chocolate you get. Plain or with nuts is okay, but skip any that contains nougat, crème filling, or caramel. Those fillers just contain extra sugars and calories and they will completely offset any health benefits the dark chocolates itself contains. •It may be tempting to wash down your dark chocolate bar with milk, but really that just wipes away any anti-oxidants the candy contained. •Make sure it’s dark chocolate because milk and white chocolate do not have the same effects. Anti-oxidant levels are much higher in dark chocolates than they are in any other form of the cocoa goodness. Dark chocolate can work wonders for your health if you use it correctly. If you’re careful of your calories, you can lose weight and reward yourself. Just follow these tips and your own instincts and you’ll be on your way to a healthier future.