Derived from cocoa beans, dark chocolate contains antioxidants called flavonoids, which are responsible for a wide range of health benefits, from improving heart health to protecting cells from damage. Research suggests that incorporating a moderate amount of dark chocolate into your daily diet can be beneficial for overall health.
Lowers Blood Pressure
Increasing your intake of dark chocolate might have blood pressure benefits, according to a study conducted by lead author Dr. Dirk Taubert and colleagues from the University Hospital of Cologne in Germany. They discovered that subjects with untreated high blood pressure ingesting 6.3 g, or the equivalent of 30 calories, of dark chocolate for 18 weeks lowered their blood pressure compared to participants consuming the equivalent amount of white chocolate. Scientists reported their findings in the July 2007 issue of the "Journal of the American Medical Association."
Decreases DNA Damage
Researchers from the University of Milan studied the effects of dark chocolate on DNA damage, which can increase the production of free radicals that might increase the risk for heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Healthy subjects randomly received white or dark chocolate. Both groups were measured for DNA damage before and after the treatment. At the end of the study, which was reported in the December 2009 issue of the "British Journal of Nutrition," researchers observed that the dark chocolate group experienced a reduction in DNA damage once two hours had passed after consumption, whereas the white chocolate group experienced no effects.
Reduces Emotional Stress
Eating dark chocolate might help ease emotional stress, according to a study conducted by lead author Sunil Kochhar and colleagues from the Nestle Research Center in Switzerland. Scientists discovered that highly stressed participants consuming 1.4 ounces of dark chocolate per day for two weeks reduced the levels of stress hormones in their blood, the November 2009 issue of the "Journal of Proteome Research" reports.
Increases Satiety and Lessens Cravings
Scientists from the University of Copenhagen studied the effects of dark chocolate consumption on satiety in healthy participants. Subjects fasted for 12 hours and then were randomly assigned the same amount of calories from dark or white chocolate. Scientists observed that the dark chocolate group experienced greater satiety and fewer cravings for salty and fatty foods compared to the white chocolate group, according to the Science Daily website.
References
- Science Daily: Consumption Of Small Amounts Of Dark Chocolate Associated With Reduction In Blood Pressure
- Nutra Ingredients: Dark chocolate may protect DNA from damage: Study
- Science Daily: New Evidence That Dark Chocolate Helps Ease Emotional Stress
- Science Daily: Dark Chocolate Is More Filling Than Milk Chocolate And Lessens Cravings
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