Are you looking for a reason to feel a little less guilty about indulging in some sweet chocolate? There's been a controversy around dark chocolate and whether it actually is healthy for you or not. I mean, it does come from the seed of a tree, so it has to be - right? Here's the real truth behind dark chocolate and your health.
Is Dark Chocolate Actually Healthy?
Are you ready for this? YES! But in moderation, of course. Dark chocolate actually has many benefits for your body, for it is considered a superfood. Nonetheless, you have to be eating the right kind and not too much of it. The health benefits of dark chocolate come from flavonoids, which are a group of phytonutrients or plant chemicals. Flavonoids are produced by plants, fruits, and vegetables, and can be found in red wine and green and black tea. They give the rich color to foods, so dark chocolate contains more than just milk chocolate.
Benefits Of Dark Chocolate
The rich, flavonoid compounds that are found in dark chocolate is what brings us health benefits. They act as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, which benefits both your heart and brain. Dark chocolate can reduce inflammation, lower ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol, lower blood pressure, reduce your risk for heart disease, improve blood flow, and even protect against cancer. Plus, they may give your workout a boost. Eating just a small amount of dark chocolate daily can improve performance in endurance athletes. We're sure there are even more benefits out there, but these probably already convinced you to keep eating it.
Concerns Of Dark Chocolate
However, let's not get ahead of ourselves. Dark chocolate is still super high in calories and can be harmful when combined with butter, cream, and sugar. Therefore, try to only eat a square or two - not the entire bar. And you should also cut back on chocolate cupcakes, brownies, candy, and chocolate drinks. This is especially important if you’re at risk for diabetes or heart disease. Just watch the amount you eat, and you'll be good!
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-Gina
