Totally Legit Health Benefits of Chocolate

By Sara Butler

Few things in this world are as wonderful as chocolate for a lot of people, so it doesn’t take much convincing for people to eat this lovely concoction. But just in case you’re not yet convinced of just how good chocolate is for you, here are a few legitimate health benefits of chocolate for you to ponder.

Choosing the Right Chocolate

First, it must be mentioned that not all chocolates are created equal. Those candy bars in the candy aisle aren’t quite the right kind of chocolate. You want to choose a chocolate that is at least 70 percent cocoa and is also low in sugar. So, when in doubt always go with dark chocolate.

Healthy Skin

One of the benefits of regular dark chocolate consumption is how it helps your skin. Since it’s rich in antioxidants, it often leads to smoother skin that is more resistant to sunburn. It also appears smoother. It turns out that cocoa helps to boost the circulation of blood to the very fine capillaries in the very top layer of skin. This protects your skin from burn and dehydration. This doesn’t mean you should forego sunscreen, but it’s a pretty cool benefit.

Healthy Teeth

The sugar in chocolate is bad for your teeth, but if you’re eating a chocolate with a high cocoa content but lower sugar, then the cocoa can actually help to protect your pearly whites. Cocoa beans contain antibacterial compounds and have been found in studies to inhibit the formation of plaque that causes cavities.

Healthy Heart

Cocoa butter is high in saturated fat, so chocolate has gotten a bad reputation when it comes to heart health. But, it’s recently been discovered that the type of saturated fat in cocoa butter is good for you since it contains oleic acid and stearic acid. Oleic acid lowers your levels of bad cholesterol and stearic acid is converted by your liver into healthy fats. Plus, cocoa has anti-inflammatory compounds that help to battle against vascular inflammation, helping to reduce blood pressure and improving your heart health.

Healthy Mind

Chocolate has been found in studies to increase circulation to the brain, so your ability to focus before you next big test may get a boost from chocolate.

Remember, just because chocolate has health benefits doesn't mean you can eat as much as you want -- it's all about portion control, no matter the health benefits!

To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic.

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