Is Chocolate Good for You? Some Surprising Facts

We all know chocolate is delicious, but did you know it can be good for you?

That's right! Your favourite sweet treat can benefit your health in several ways. Here are some surprising facts about the health benefits of chocolate.

First, let's keep it real. We're mostly talking about dark chocolate, not sugar-filled milk chocolate. Choccy can contain serious calories, so it's not known as a healthy food. However, dark chocolate contains much less sugar than milk chocolate, and it also boasts some powerful nutrients. So let's take a closer look.

Prevent Disease

One of the most notable benefits of dark chocolate is it's packed with antioxidants. Antioxidants are essential for maintaining good health and preventing chronic diseases. They also help protect the body from damage caused by free radicals. So what are these? Let's call the little guys "unstable molecules" for now. Unstable molecules cause damage to cells, which can lead to a whole host of health problems. Antioxidants help to neutralise free radicals and thus protect cells from damage.

Mood Elevator

Eating chocolate can improve your mood and reduce stress levels. This is thanks to natural compounds such as phenylethylamine. The 'love drug' phenylethylamine increases the production of endorphins, positively affecting the brain. As a result, it generates feelings of euphoria, common when eating your favourite candy bar.

Chocolate also contains serotonin, a chemical with calming effects. So it's no wonder we tuck into chocolate when we're feeling down!

Energy Boost

The majority of energy bars are covered with chocolate, mainly to improve the taste.

However, chocolate also contains caffeine, which boosts energy before or during exercise. The amount of caffeine in chocolate varies based on the type and amount consumed. Milk chocolate, for example, contains less caffeine than dark chocolate.

Brain Food

Eating chocolate may improve brain function. Studies show that people who eat chocolate regularly do better on cognitive tests than people who don't.

Further studies find that cocoa flavanols (a bioactive compound in chocolate) can improve blood flow to the brain, which improves cognitive function. Flavanols also appear to prevent age-related diseases, such as Alzheimer's.

So there you have it. Some incredible chocolate health facts that may have you reaching for your favourite bar more often.

Of course, moderation is key. So enjoy your chocolate and reap the benefits!