Chocolate being the decadent treat that it is, we tend to forget its main ingredient, the cacao bean, was originally used for its medicinal properties by South American peoples. Cocoa flowers were used to treat fatigue, and the beans to treat heart and digestion issues. Old manuscripts show over 100 medicinal uses for cocoa and chocolate! So here you will find some of the amazing health properties of chocolate that have been confirmed by modern science and studies.
Dark chocolate for a healthy heart
It has become more and more widely known that a small amount of dark chocolate daily helps improve cardiovascular health. That is because molecules inside cocoa help improve blood circulation and lower blood pressure. Those molecules are called flavanols, which, when ingested, encourage the production of a chemical inside your blood vessels called nitric oxide (NO) which relaxes them. Studies have linked the consumption of as little as 6g of dark chocolate a day with a reduction in heart disease, inflammation and even mortality.
Sweets against diabetes and indigestion?
The flavanols contained in cocoa also increase insulin sensitivity, which is exactly what you want to avoid developing diabetes. Moreover, cocoa flavanols have been shown to increase significantly the growth of good gut bacteria.
Lose the veggies, enter chocolate
Alright, maybe don’t lose the veggies just yet. But chocolate is indeed a source of important nutrients. As little as half an ounce of dark chocolate, which is around 80 calories, contains 1g of protein, 20% of your daily value of copper, 9% DV of manganese, 7% DV of magnesium and iron, and 4% DV of zinc.
Copper, a lesser-known mineral, helps regulate our cardiovascular and neurological systems, promotes the building of bones and connective tissue, strengthens our immune system and helps with good iron absorption. Copper also has antioxidant properties, and feeds the enzymes that metabolize energy for us.
Manganese has strong antioxidant properties. Studies have also shown manganese to have a protective effect against osteoporosis in women. This mineral also helps reduce inflammation inside the body, plays a role in blood sugar regulation, helps our body metabolize nutrients, improves brain function, and promotes collagen production.
Antioxidant properties
Dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants, which protect our cells against free radicals: unstable atoms that can harm our cells and cause ageing, illness and cancer. Observational studies have indeed linked chocolate consumption with lower cancer rates.
Chocolate against PMS
A reason why women crave chocolate before their period could be because nutrients in chocolate help reduce PMS symptoms, especially in combination with calcium.
Chocolate truly makes us happy
Chocolate doesn’t only make us happy because we’re indulging in one of our favourite treats. It is also a source of tryptophan, an amino acid necessary to the production of serotonin, the famous happiness chemical, a neurotransmitter that reduces depression and anxiety and regulates our mood.
Why dark chocolate
While good quality milk chocolate does offer the same benefits, you will find them two to three times more present in dark chocolate, so aim for a 70% or higher concentration of cocoa solids. You also want to choose dark chocolate that was processed as little as possible, as processing may decrease the flavanols content. Pure baking dark chocolate is the best. Enjoy!
Last words
In short, don’t feel any more guilt when indulging in a little dark chocolate. It may be saving your life. If you want to feel extra good about your habit, make sure to look for “Fair-trade” certification to ensure the workers that brought this delicious treat to you were paid fairly and no child labor was involved.