Five Reasons For Having Healthy Chocolate

Chocolate is considered to be the "food of the Gods." Cocoa and its derivatives date back to the ancient Aztecs. Today, chocolate, especially dark chocolate, proves to be beneficial to health in small amounts. Just 2 oz. of 65 percent or more of dark chocolate per day can impact health.

High in Antioxidants

Cocoa products, including dark chocolate, have large amounts of phytochemicals or antioxidants. These antioxidants are similar to those found in green tea, red wine and other fruits and vegetables. Due to these concentrations of flavonoids, dark chocolate can kill free radicals and reverse oxidation. Therefore, eating small amounts of dark chocolate daily, notes the Cleveland Clinic, act as a protectant to various diseases and health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and cancer.

Mood Booster

Dark chocolate has the ability to boost endorphins and serotonin in the brain. According to The Medical Wellness Archives, dark chocolate contains the essential amino acid tryptophan, which the brain uses to produce serotonin. In a study published by "Public Health Nutrition," the greater the amount of serotonin in the brain, the better an individual feels. People who have high serotonin levels are happier, have less emotional distress and are more content with life.

Lowers Blood Pressure

Cocoa and dark chocolate are filled with polyphenols, antioxidants that are beneficial to cardiovascular health. A study published in "The Journal of the American Medical Association" suggested that eating approximately 0.21 oz. of dark chocolate per day could lower both systolic and diastolic blood pressure without having to lose weight or make any other dietary changes. The same study concluded that eating this chocolate daily could also increase the formation of nitric acid, which improves blood flow, naturally lowering blood pressure.

Lowers Cholesterol

Eating dark chocolate and cocoa powder high in flavonoids can lower low-density lipoprotein, the "bad" cholesterol levels and increase high-density lipoprotein, the "good" cholesterol. Nutra Ingredients reports on a study conducted by Dr. Penny Kris-Etheron from Penn State University and published in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition," which showed that individuals who ate approximately 1 to 1 1/4 oz. of dark chocolate per day were able to inhibit the onset of atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries. The study also showed that individuals who ingested the same amount of chocolate or cocoa powder increased their HDL levels by 4 percent.

Reduces Inflammation

Not only does dark chocolate lower cholesterol and decrease high blood pressure, but small amounts can also reduce inflammation by chocolate's ability to lower C-reactive protein levels. Dr. Romina di Giuseppe from Catholic University in Campobasso, Italy found that eating a small square of dark chocolate at least two to three days per week decreased the risk of cardiovascular disease, reduced the amount of inflammation an individual experienced and offered cardiovascular protection. All these results were directly related to the power of the antioxidants in dark chocolate, which significantly lowered the concentrations of C-reactive proteins in the blood.