More Reasons to Eat Chocolate

Oh the joy of chocolate. Now there are more reasons to eat delicious dark chocolate than to simply satisfy a craving. Chocolate is being touted as the number one antioxidant food and is charting the course when it comes to overall health and wellness. Not only is chocolate craved more than any other food on the planet but it also does wonders for your skin, aids in weight loss, improves oral health, reduces blood pressure and is a mood elevator.

Great For Your Skin

For hundreds of years, cocoa butter has been a celebrated skincare treatment, but recent studies show that eating chocolate can improve skin quality and reduce wrinkles. The reason cocoa butter is used in all categories of moisturizers is its unique combination of natural ingredients. Cocoa butter contains fats and antioxidants, which help protect the outer skin layer by shielding it from damage and locking in moisture. People are also looking at chocolate for skin care. Marlies Spinale, director of Tru Spa says "like many other antioxidants, cocoa polyphenols are thought to offer the skin protection from free-radical damage caused by sun, pollution, stress, alcohol consumption and other factors."

Helps You Lose Weight

Chocolate is a natural appetite suppressant and curbs your cravings for junk food. Chocolate has chemicals that block the cravings for sweets that often kick off the vicious overeating cycle. These chemicals satisfy the brain's craving messages with the slow release of nutrients in the body, stopping sugar cravings and stopping the cycle of overeating before it starts.

Healthy Mouth

It is important to note that dark chocolate products are the most beneficial for all areas of health, including oral health. Several studies indicate that chocolate can benefit the mouth. Cocoa is believed to contain a type of inhibitory property, as emerging research has identified polyphenols, flavonoids and tannins as the key substances that benefit the teeth. When it comes to oral health cocoa and dark chocolate foods can reduce the bacteria load of the mouth, relieve bleeding gums, reverse clefts, improve breath odor and reduce the risk of cavities.

Reduces Blood Pressure

The flavonoids in chocolate may help keep blood vessels elastic, which can lower blood pressure and decrease the stress on the heart. Flavonoid-rich foods including fruits, vegetables, tea, red wine, and chocolate might offer cardiovascular benefits and should be part of an overall healthy diet.

Mood Elevator

Eating chocolate is known to stimulate the secretion of endorphins, producing the positive sensation similar to a "runner's high." Chocolate also contains serotonin, a neurotransmitter that acts as an antidepressant. The PEA found in chocolate may be responsible for the romantic associations we have with the food, since PEA can boost serotonin and endorphin levels, and increase libido. Feelings that mimic the way that we feel when we are in love may be the reason why it is easy for some people to become chocoholics.

So go ahead and eat more chocolate, your body will thank you for it later!



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