healthy eating

Most of the time when we think about “super foods” we think about clearly healthy fruits and veggies: like kale and goji berries. But believe it or not, chocolate (in moderate consumption) actually has some great health benefits. Take a look at the amazing qualities of your favorite treat!

Improves cognitive functioning. Cognitive functioning refers to any and all brain activities that allow you to gain and manipulate knowledge. This includes problem solving and memory, just to name a couple examples. A recent study analyzing nearly 1,000 participants demonstrated that increased chocolate consumption was correlated with improved cognitive functioning in a large number of areas. Higher cognition was seen in the following domains:

• Visual-Spatial Memory and Organization
• Working Memory
• Scanning and Tracking
• Abstract Reasoning

Lowered Blood Pressure and Cardiovascular Benefits. Because chocolate is made with added sugar, we often don’t notice its benefits: they become over-shadowed by its negative effects. Believe it or not, chocolate is associated with lower blood pressure. High blood pressure can lead to higher risk of cardiovascular damage. That means higher risk of heart attacks, congestive heart failure, heart disease and stroke.

Lower Cholesterol Levels. Yet another way that chocolate can help your heart is its association with lowering cholesterol levels. Low cholesterol levels and low blood pressure are both important for reducing risk of heart failure and heart attacks. Chocolate is made with theobromine, which studies have shown are responsible for this cholesterol benefit. Heart benefits are also believed to result from flavanols (otherwise known as flavan-3-ols) which exist in chocolate.

Anti-cancer properties. Some studies provide suggestive evidence that chocolate actually has anti-cancer properties. This may be because of chocolate’s anti-inflamattory effects and ability to reduce oxidative stress, both of which can help fight cancer. Catechin and procyanidin, which are found in cocoa, are particularly related to the reduction of cancer risks. Studies have shown that these anti-cancer properties have been shown with lung cancer, colorectal cancer and stomach cancer.

Improved intestinal health. Even the Aztecs used chocolate medicinally to help fight intestinal pain, and historically Europeans used chocolate to aid intestinal health when they first discovered cocoa. Recent research shows that procyanidins, found in chocolate, actually alters the microbiota in your stomach in a positive way which improves intestinal health.

Kerimi, Asimini, and Gary Williamson. "The Cardiovascular Benefits of Dark Chocolate." Vascular Pharmacology 71 (2015): 11-15. Web.

Ju, Dan. "Chapter 13 – Cocoa—past Medicinal Uses, Current Scientific Evidence, and Advertised Health Benefits." Fruits, Vegetables and Herbs: Bioactive Foods in Health Promotion. By Gertraud Maskarinec. London: Nikki Levy, 2016. 271-92. Print.

Daniells, Stepen. "Is Theobromine Responsible for Cocoa's Cholesterol Benefits?" NutraIngredients-USA.com. N.p., 21 May 2013. Web. 26 July 2016.

Crichton, Georgina E., Merrill F. Elias, and Ala'a Alkerwi. "Chocolate Intake Is Associated with Better Cognitive Function: The Maine-Syracuse Longitudinal Study." Appetite 100 (2016): 126-32. Web.