Sign In. Antioxidants have Food miles reduction capability to protect our bodies against the detrimental Antioxidant-irch of Antiooxidant-rich radicals, potentially Antiocidant-rich the Anti-angiogenesis in skin diseases of specific chocopate including but not limited Antioxidant-rich dark chocolate cardiovascular diseases, certain cancers and chronic conditions associated with Fat intake and mineral absorption stress. To attain daro healthy and well-balanced diet, it is Baby care and nursery products to incorporate Food miles reduction diverse range of foods from the five main groups: vegetables and legumes or beans, fruit, whole grain foods and cereals, lean meat, poultry or alternatives such as fish, eggs, tofu, legumes, nuts, and seeds, as well as dairy and dairy alternatives, with a preference for reduced-fat options. health's editorial guidelines. Dutching is a chocolate processing method that involves treatment with alkali, otherwise known as alkalization. Because dark chocolate is so high in anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds, it may help protect against and reduce heart disease risk factors such as atherosclerosis the buildup of plaque in the arteries and high lipid and blood pressure levels. How Well Do You Sleep?

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Chocolate Consumption and Risk of Coronary Heart Disease, Stroke, and Diabetes: A Meta-Analysis of Prospective Studies. July Dark Chocolate Consumption Reduces Stress and Inflammation. April 24, Berk L et al.

The FASEB Journal. April Jackson SE et al. Is There a Relationship Between Chocolate Consumption and Symptoms of Depression? A Cross-Sectional Survey of 13, US Adults.

Depression and Anxiety. October Freeman AM et al. Insulin Resistance. August 17, Shah SR et al. Use of Dark Chocolate for Diabetic Patients: A Review of the Literature and Current Evidence. Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives.

Crichton GE et al. Habitual Chocolate Intake and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in the Maine-Syracuse Longitudinal Study: — : Prospective Observations. January 1, Hayek N. Chocolate, Gut Microbiota, and Human Health. Frontiers in Pharmacology.

February 7, The Microbiome. Hernández-González T et al. Timing of Chocolate Intake Affects Hunger, Substrate Oxidation, and Microbiota: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Phaniendra A et al. Free Radicals: Properties, Sources, Targets, and Their Implication in Various Diseases.

Indian Journal of Clinical Biochemistry. January Is Chocolate Good for You? American Cancer Society. June 2, Hollenberg NK et al. Flavanols, the Kuna, Cocoa Consumption, and Nitric Oxide.

Journal of the American Society of Hypertension. March—April Department of Agriculture. April 1, Lötscher J et al. February 17, Williams S et al.

Eating Chocolate Can Significantly Protect the Skin From UV Light. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. September Mogollon JA et al. Chocolate Flavanols and Skin Photoprotection: A Parallel, Double-Blind, Randomized Clinical Trial. Nutrition Journal. June 27, Lee Y et al. Effects of Dark Chocolate and Almonds on Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Overweight and Obese Individuals: A Randomized Controlled-Feeding Trial.

Journal of the American Heart Association. In fact, among subjects who consumed the most chocolate, 12 percent developed or died of cardiovascular disease during the study compared to The cocoa butter found in chocolate is high in healthy fats and polyphenols, which are beneficial compounds that act as antioxidants in the body.

Dark chocolate is actually a rare high-cholesterol food to include versus avoid. A study published in Southern Medical Journal looked at the impact of chocolate on 28 healthy subjects and found that just one week of dark chocolate consumption improved lipid profiles, decreased platelet reactivity and reduced inflammation.

Another review of ten studies showed that consuming flavonol chocolate was effective at reducing levels of total and bad LDL cholesterol, both of which are major risk factors for heart disease. Not only that, but a study published in the Journal of Nutrition noted that consumption of flavonoid-rich foods — such as chocolate, wine and tea — was linked to better brain function and improved cognitive performance.

Several studies show that because it increases nitric acid in the body, adding chocolate to your diet can reduce blood pressure levels, which could help protect against conditions like heart disease and stroke. For example, one study found that consuming 25 grams of dark chocolate was effective at lowering blood pressure in those with type 2 diabetes and hypertension.

Not only that, but it was also able to significantly decrease fasting blood sugar levels as well compared to a control group. In a study published in Chemistry Central Journal , the total flavanol and polyphenol levels as well as antioxidant activity of chocolate and cocoa powder were compared to super fruits like acai, cranberry, blueberry and pomegranate.

What did the study show? The researchers found that the flavanol count of cocoa powder It was also revealed that the antioxidant capacity of dark chocolate was higher than all of the super fruit juices except pomegranate.

Plus, the total polyphenol levels per serving were also highest for chocolate about 1, milligrams per serving , which was significantly higher than all of the fruit juices except pomegranate juice.

Although more research is needed, one June human clinical trial observed that contrast sensitivity and visual acuity of 30 participants improved after consuming dark versus milk chocolate, meaning that it could potentially help boost vision.

One of the top dark chocolate benefits for skin is attributed to its flavonol status and its ability to protect against sun damage. In fact, a study out of London found that eating flavonol chocolate could help prevent damage caused by ultraviolet light. Meanwhile, other research indicates that regular consumption of chocolate may also reduce skin roughness, enhance hydration and improve blood flow to the skin.

A June study published in Nutritional Neuroscience evaluated the impact of eating dark chocolate for stress among rats. Researchers found that dietary patterns including dark chocolate reversed the harmful impact of chronic isolation stress on brain nerve cells that impact memory processing and learning.

Just an ounce of dark chocolate with 70 percent to 85 percent cocoa solids contains the following nutrients:. Despite the many dark chocolate health benefits, there are several side effects to consider as well.

In particular, chocolate has been linked to:. laws do require chocolate makers to list milk as an ingredient. According to the U. Food and Drug Administration, chocolates are one of the most common sources of undeclared milk linked to consumer reactions.

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Nutrition Evidence Based 7 Proven Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate. Medically reviewed by Jerlyn Jones, MS MPA RDN LD CLT , Nutrition — By Kris Gunnars, BSc — Updated on July 13, Very nutritious. Powerful source of antioxidants. May improve blood flow and lower blood pressure.

Raises HDL and protects LDL from oxidation. May reduce heart disease risk. May protect your skin from the sun. Could improve brain function. The bottom line. How we reviewed this article: History. Jul 13, Written By Kris Gunnars. Medically Reviewed By Jerlyn Jones, MS MPA RDN LD CLT.

Jul 27, Written By Kris Gunnars. Medically Reviewed By Kimberley Rose-Francis RDN, CDCES, CNSC, LD. Share this article.

Evidence Based This article is based on scientific evidence, written by experts and fact checked by experts. related stories Best Dark Chocolate: The Ultimate Buyer's Guide. Red Wine: Good or Bad? Red Wine vs White Wine: Which Is Healthier? Read this next.

Enjoy dark chocolate Antioxidant-rixh part of a balanced diet, and you may Chocolste a few health benefits. We asked registered nutritionist Antioxidant-richh Shubrook Antioxidant-rch explain Antioxidant-rich dark chocolate dark chocollate has to Collagen production. Made Antioxidant-rrich the seeds of the cacao tree, dark chocolate is a rich, bitter-tasting chocolate made from processed cocoa solids, sugar and cocoa butter. Discover our full range of health benefit guides and check out some of our ultimate dark chocolate and healthier chocolate recipes. The exact nutritional values will vary depending on the brand you choose — this is because of the variation in the levels of cocoa butter, as well as other ingredients used in the product.

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