Ounce of Sweet Relief in Dark Chocolate

I don’t know about you, but I have a little bit of a sweet tooth. In what seems like a lifetime ago, I worked as a barista and then a manager in a coffee shop that served nearly every kind of beverage under the sun. One of the best parts of my job was finding sweets and treats, and it was then that I was introduced to the wonders of cacao, which is often refined and processed to the myriad of chocolate treats that are offered in stores and boutiques. 

It turns out, there are some health benefits to eating dark chocolate (in moderation), and because eating chocolate is a great way to indulge in sweet self-care, I wanted to take a moment and give a few of those benefits. 

Dark chocolate (chocolate that is at least 50-90% cocoa solids) contains phytonutrients called flaenoids, which are chemicals in plants that act as antioxidants. Cacao plants, where chocolate is derived from, also contains theobromine, which is being studied for its anti-inflammatory properties as well as the potential for it to help lower blood pressure. 

In July 2020, the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology published a systematic review and meta-analysis that found that eating chocolate once a week was associated with a lower risk of blocked arteries. Other studies are beginning to assess the reduced risk of coronary artery disease can be achieved by consuming 1 oz of chocolate on a regular basis. 

The flavenoids in chocolate, which help produce nitric oxide, may be the reason for these cardiovascular benefits. Nitric oxide helps blood vessels to relax, which in turn, lowers blood pressure. 

Caution must be observed with these studies, however, because many of the studies are very limited in their scope.

Another benefit to dark chocolate that is 70% cacao content may be a positive boost for the brain. Chocolate stimulates neural activity, specifically the reward centers. This can help to lower stress and improve mood, which everyone can appreciate in their daily routine. 

Flavenoids are also being researched as to their impact on not only cardiovascular and cognitive health, but also in fighting free radicals in the body. Free radicals are oxygen molecules that are unstable and thought to be contributors to disease and aging, according to some research. The American Cancer Society itself has claimed that cell damage is often a precursor to quite a few cancers. It is possible that the flavenoids in chocolate may be a nice addition to cancer-conscious diets. 

Dark chocolate is packed with vitamins and minerals, not limited to thigns like magnesium, copper, iron and manganese, which can help production of collagen and skin elasticity. Magnesium is a mineral that helps reduce inflammation, promote restful sleep, maintains healthy blood pressure and bone health. 

Despite its health benefits, however, it is important to keep in mind that chocolate also contains higher calories and fat, so the quality of the chocolate consumed is important. Processing chocolate can be very different between companies as well, using different additives, so looking for organic or as few unnecessary fillers is also helpful. 

Even though the research on dark chocolate is still limited, this really highlights that when we talk about self-care, it doesn’t always mean having a bare-bones approach to health. Self-care can still be healthy but also feel like an indulgence and a treat. Isn’t that at times the boost we all need, even if it is as simple as a couple of squares of dark chocolate?