Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and this holiday is known for being dipped in chocolate! That means your sweetie is probably going to buy you some sweets… and you’re going to be eating them. But not all chocolate is bad… Yeah, I said it. Did you know dark chocolate has a lot of health benefits??
- Good for your heart
- Eating a small amount twice a week can help lower your blood pressure
- Helps improve blood flow which may prevent the formation of blood clots
- Good for your brain
- Increased blood flow can help improve cognitive function
- Contains chemical compounds which have a positive effect on your mood
- Helps control blood sugar
- Flavonoids help reduce insulin resistance by helping cells to function normally
- Low glycemic index, meaning it won’t cause a huge spike in blood glucose levels
- Full of antioxidants
- Antioxidants help rid the body of free radicals which cause oxidative damage to cells
- Eating antioxidant rich foods may protect you from certain types of cancer and slow the signs of aging
- Contains theobromine
- This has been proven to help harden tooth enamel
- Unlike other sweets, it lowers your risk of cavities in combination with proper dental hygiene
- High in vitamins and minerals
- Potassium & copper help protect cardiovascular health
- Magnesium helps prevent high blood pressure, heart disease, & type 2 diabetes
- Iron protects against iron deficiency anemia
Although dark chocolate has a lot of health benefits, it is important to remember that everything is good in moderation. It still has calories! Don’t replace healthy foods with chocolate.
