Who doesn’t looove chocolate? Seriously. Like, who? So when we hear that our favorite anytime treat is good for the body, especially the heart, we jump at the chance to eat more of it. There are several heart-healthy benefits to adding more unprocessed chocolate to your daily diet: anything from keeping your cholesterol in check to helping you achieve the flawless skin you’ve always wanted and imagined. Studies from across the globe have proven that increasing your intake of this heart-friendly food can provide positive and lasting effects on the human body. Below we’ve gathered five reasons why you should start eating more chocolate today.
Can help keep blood pressure low
Kuna Indians from Panama used to drink about four cups of unprocessed cacao and were said to be free of heart disease. Upon moving to developed areas, which had adopted Western customs, they all began to suffer from high blood pressure.
Lends a helping hand to the heart and it’s blood vessels
Dark chocolate, which comes from the Theobroma cacao plant, is said to be one of the top ten dietary sources of antioxidants (along with black chokeberry, black elderberry, mint, anise, cloves and cacao powder). It’s also super rich in bioactive flavonols and theobromine, which help the heart and blood vessels, according to the Journal of Hypertension.
Helps with brain function
The flavonols found in dark chocolate can help with the flowing of blood to the brain — the same thing happens when we drink tea and wine!
Healthier skin
Due to its high content of flavonols, dark chocolate has been attributed with the ability to help protect skin from the sun, reduce roughness and improve the body’s blood flow.
Keeps cholesterol in check
The healthy fats and the polyphenols possessed by chocolate are said to positively impact the body as they are recognized as antioxidants.
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