Chocolate is arguably the world’s favorite sweet treat. Each year, an estimated 7.2 million metric tons of chocolate is consumed worldwide. But while confectionary chocolate has a bad reputation as sugary, addictive, and guilt-inducing – dark chocolate, with its higher cocoa content, is a true super food that you can feel good about eating.

Here are 5 Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate
1.Dark Chocolate Is an Excellent Source of Antioxidants
Dark chocolate is rich in several important antioxidants, including flavanols, polyphenols, catechins, and proanthocyanins. When compared with other “super fruits”, dark chocolate was found to be a superior source of antioxidants according to a study published in Chemistry Central Journal. The researchers measured the total flavanol, polyphenol, and antioxidant activity of some of the most well known super foods, namely acai berries, blueberries, cranberries, and pomegranate. They found that not only was cocoa powder and dark chocolate higher in flavanols and polyphenols, but its oxygen radical absorbance capacity was significantly greater as well.

2.Dark Chocolate Improves Blood Flow
Hypertension – or high blood pressure – is a long-term medical condition that is a major risk factor for the development of coronary disease, stroke, vision loss, kidney disease, and dementia. But eating a small amount of dark chocolate each day can help improve blood pressure and blood flow, due to its heightened cocoa polyphenol content.
3.Dark Chocolate Lowers Cholesterol Levels
Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in the blood. While it is necessary for building healthy cells, having consistently high levels of LDL cholesterol creates fatty deposits in the walls of the arteries, hardening and narrowing the vessels. Over time, LDL cholesterol builds up to the point where it impedes blood flow and increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Cocoa polyphenols, however, have been shown to improve lipid profiles in people with elevated cholesterol-levels.
4.Dark Chocolate Protects & Nourishes The Skin
Because pure cocoa is exceptionally rich in flavanol antioxidants, eating it offers a delectable way to protect the skin from the inside out.
The consumption of dark chocolate that is high in flavanols significantly protects the skin from UV light, according to a paper published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 
In a German study from 2006, consuming the equivalent of 326-mg per day increased blood flow in skin tissues, boosted skin hydration, lowered trans epidermal water loss, improved skin density and thickness, and made skin smoother and less rough and scaly after just 12-weeks.

5.Dark Chocolate Is Brain Food
Not only do flavanols in cocoa improve blood circulation throughout the body, they also have a beneficial effect on blood flow in the brain.
In healthy, young volunteers, consuming 150-mg of flavanol-rich chocolate for 5 days increased cerebral blood flow during cognitive tasks, according to a 2006 study. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging to measure brain activity and cerebral blood-flow, those who consumed flavanols had a significant increase in blood oxygenation in active brain regions, as well as improved blood-flow and volume in key areas of the brain.

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