Imagine visiting your doctor and being told to “eat a few chocolate truffles” and rest for two days - wouldn’t that be lovely?

For most, chocolate is an obvious choice for a sweet treat every now and then. Or, if you have a particularly sweet tooth, perhaps every evening after dinner. Unfortunately, it’s not typically food that is associated with health benefits. Or is it?

There has been some research pointing to clues that suggest there may be more to chocolate than its delicious taste and that happy feeling it leads to. If you’re a chocolate lover, keep on reading.

What’s Inside Chocolate?

Cocoa is the primary ingredient found in chocolate. Reigning from seeds occurring in Theobroma cacao trees, the cocoa is what gives chocolate its deliciously rich taste. The taste everyone loves.

In terms of chocolate and health benefits, it is more commonly understood that dark chocolate is the one to go for to get in all the good stuff. Though, dark chocolate can have a bit of an acquired taste.

Phenolic compounds are found in dark chocolate, which is essentially what gives it its high level of antioxidants, but also its bitter taste.

Newer research, however, is showing that milk chocolate made with peanut skin extract can offer those same antioxidative benefits. So basically, a win-win for everyone.

The problem comes in when considering all the other ingredients that go hand-in-hand with chocolate, such as sugar and fats.

Potential Benefits Of Dark Chocolate

The higher the percentage of cocoa, the higher the nutritional value will be. So, if you are looking at a dark chocolate bar made up of 75% cocoa, you are likely to increase your iron, fibre, and magnesium, among other minerals.

There are biologically active compounds present in cocoa that can actually enhance blood flow, which can, in turn, decrease blood pressure slightly.

These bioactive compounds include one known as a flavonol. Flavonols can be a protection to the skin with its help of improving blood flow, and therefore increasing the hydration in the skin.

There could also be improvements in the functioning of the brain, thanks to dark chocolate. This also has to do with blood flow. Research has shown that a small amount of caffeine also present in chocolate can be a short-term effect resulting in improved brain function.

Finally, a compound from the Theobroma tree called theobromine has been attributed to helping reduce inflammation and, again, reduce blood pressure.

It’s A Natural Mood-Booster

There’s no doubt that your mood lifts when you are handed a bar of chocolate. For this benefit, it actually does not matter which kind of chocolate you have; milk, white, or dark chocolate.

When your health is at the centre of your concern, you cannot forget about your mental wellbeing. And for that, chocolate does wonders.

The antioxidants present in dark chocolate increase endorphins and serotonin. These two chemicals are the feel-good chemicals present in the brain and are released when you feel happy or calm.

In regards to the less antioxidant-rich milk and white chocolate, they may not be as good for your physical health, but when it comes to feeling excited and happy, they definitely know how to do the job.

The Final Say

Anything in moderation is key. As you can see, the research done supports the fact that dark chocolate does indeed have some health benefits. For that, we are thankful! There’s nothing like enjoying a guilt-free piece of chocolate after a good meal.

On that same note though, even the less healthy options have their place in benefitting you somehow. Sometimes you just need a good piece of sugary, milk chocolate. It might not improve your brain functioning, but it will certainly improve your mood.

Either way, nothing in excess is truly ever good for you. So enjoy the chocolate truffles and perhaps go for a walk then. Life is all about balance, anyway