Is chocolate good for you?

Well, naturally it depends on how much chocolate you actually eat. But in moderation, chocolate has some great proven health benefits. Even though you should be aware of added sugar and fat, a few squares of dark chocolate a day may, in fact, keep the doctor away.

Chocolate comes from the cacao plant, and this plant is especially rich in a type of antioxidant called flavonoids. These flavonoids are mainly found in non-fat cocoa solids, meaning the non-fat parts of the cacao seed, and could be a big contributor to the health benefits of chocolate.

Chocolate can help with everything from stress-reduction to sharpening your mind. So, without further ado, here are a few reasons why you should indulge once in a while — for your health’s sake.

Get a healthier heart

Chocolate in moderate amounts can help keep your cardiovascular system healthy. Flavonoids, the antioxidant found in the cacao bean, can relax the blood vessels and reduce the risk of heart disease. One compilation of studies from the University of Cambridge showed a significant reduction in heart disease in chocolate consumers. The people who ate the most chocolate were in fact 37% less likely to develop heart disease, and 29% less likely to have a stroke than those who consumed the least.

In spite of these findings, it’s important to note that many chocolate products available today are very high in calories. Eating too much of these may cause weight gain and reduce any positive effects, as lead author of the study, Dr. Oscar Franco, explained:

“If it is consumed in large quantities, any beneficial effect is going to disappear.”

However, if you can find chocolate that has a low sugar and fat content — it is a healthy, and delicious, treat.

Reduce your stress

Maybe you’ve spent some time preparing for an exam, only to reach for that chocolate bar when things got too stressful. And then maybe reached for a second. And maybe a third…?

One chocolate study from Switzerland (where else?) suggests that dark chocolate actually reduces stress. The participants in the study were given 40 grams of chocolate each day for two weeks. During this time their biological markers were tracked.

By the end of the study, it was found that the participants had lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol, suggesting that chocolate has some stress reducing effects. So, next time you’re feeling a little overwhelmed, don’t feel too bad reaching for a bitter-sweet treat.

Feel more content

Try to remember the last piece of chocolate you had. How did that make you feel? ‘Pretty good’ is a fair assumption. Most people would probably agree that the sweet confection produces a positive feeling. It’s not necessarily only because of the taste, but there might be some other science at work as well. Research has indicated that cocoa polyphenols, an antioxidant found in the cocoa bean, can increase your general sense of well being.

A study on 72 healthy men and women found that consuming a large amount of polyphenols, in the form of a dark chocolate drink, made them feel more content and calm. Hence chocolate may not only help to reduce your stress, but also elevate your overall mood.

Sharpen your mind

A few years ago a study was published that demonstrated the link between the chocolate consumption of a country and its’ amount of Nobel laureates. While there seemed to be a certain correlation, the study in itself was meant more as a joke than an actual scientific paper.

On the other hand, there is still data that suggests chocolate can give you a bit of a brain boost. Researchers at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital studied the effect of cocoa on blood pressure and neurovascular coupling in elderly people. Neurovascular coupling means the relationship between blood flow to the brain and actual brain activity.

The subjects were given cocoa daily for 30 days in order to see if it had any effect on their cognitive skills. Ultimately, the study found a 30% increase in memory and thinking abilities in those that had a previously impaired blood flow to the brain. This suggests that cognitive function, your mental ability, can actually be improved by a regular cup of hot cocoa. All according to Harvard researchers.

Stop your incessant cough

Chocolate naturally contains a substance called theobromine. Research has shown that theobromine can act as a cough suppressant, even acting superior to the commonly used codeine. And unlike codeine, theobromine does not have the unwanted side effects of drowsiness and constipation.

It is believed that theobromine acts on the sensory nerve endings of a nerve called the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve stretches through the airways in the lungs and up to the brain. When its nerve endings are stimulated, it can cause coughing — which was effectively suppressed by theobromine.

If you’re suffering from a persistent cough, try a cup or two of hot cocoa and see if it helps. It might actually be superior, and of course taste far better, than your normal cough medicine.

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