Good News: There are Healthy Benefits of Eating Dark Chocolate

If you like to eat chocolate to satisfy your sweet tooth, there’s good news: dark chocolate is more than just a delicious treat—it’s also good for you! Take a look at some of the things dark chocolate can do . . .


Lower High Cholesterol. The key ingredient in dark chocolate that gives it its heart-healthy benefits is flavonoids, the powerful plant antioxidant that is also found in several fruits and vegetables and has been found to help lower cholesterol.  According to a University of California-Davis study, people who drank a cocoa drink lowered their cholesterol levels at a rate similar to that of subjects who took a blood-thinning dose of aspirin.

Reduce Blood Clots. The same University of California-Davis study found that ingredients in dark chocolate reduced the “stickiness” of blood platelets, thereby decreasing the risk of dangerous blood clots.

Decrease Blood Pressure. An Italian study found that people who ate 100 grams of dark chocolate a day for 15 days lowered their blood pressure—a similar effect as red wine.

Improve Mood. Recent studies have shown that dark chocolate may elevate levels of endorphin and serotonin in the brain, increasing feelings of pleasure and producing an overall sense of well-being.

Interested in giving dark chocolate a try? Bear in mind that despite these health findings, dark chocolate is high in calories. Before adding it to your diet, decrease the amount of calories you eat in a day from other food sources to make up for the difference.

There are several ways to enjoy dark chocolate: in candy parts, mixed into hot milk, melted down and served as an ice-cream topping, and more. By the way—to reap the healthy rewards of chocolate, it has to be dark! Milk chocolate and white chocolate have also been tested, and don’t have the same benefits as dark chocolate.