Beauty Secret #5: Dark Chocolate

Yes folks I said it! Chocolate! For those of you who think that cutting all sweets out of your life is healthy, you're partially wrong. Chocolate is actually good for you if eaten in moderation! 

The healthiest kind is dark chocolate with high cocoa content. There are a lot of flavonoids, which are antioxidants. They help protect the body from disease by neutralizing the molecules that contribute to aging and tissue damage. So consuming these antioxidants on a regular basis can help reduce clogged arteries, heart disease, high cholesterol and blood pressure and hormonal imbalances. It also contributes to looking more alive and radiant! I usually try to have about half a Ghiradelli Intense Dark 72% Twilight Delight bar a week to avoid in-taking too much sugar and offsetting the health benefits. 

Chocolate also helps improve mood, relieve stress and help reduce chances of depression. With our society being so fast-paced and stress-filled, its important for women who are sensitive to these symptoms to try to prevent them from getting worse. The serotonin in the chocolate is a natural “anti-depressant”. Chocolate is a great energy booster and could have better benefits than coffee because it releases the “happiness hormones” endorphins.

The following list gives a more extensive overview of the beneficial qualities of chocolate:

1. One of the main ingredients of chocolate, the cocoa butter contains plenty of stearin acid, thanks to which eating chocolate does not increase the cholesterol content of blood, and therefore does not increase the risk of cardio-vascular diseases.

2. Chocolate contains important nutrients: iron, zinc, potassium, magnesium, copper and vitamin B.

3. Chocolate has a slightly stimulating effect thanks to its theobromine content.

4. For acne-prone skin: Studies in recent years have revealed that chocolate does not cause acne.

5. For mothers: Chocolate does not cause hyperactive behaviour and hyperactivity related to the attention deficit disorder of children. The research papers published on this topic reveal that none of the studies show a connection between hyperactive behaviour and chocolate consumption.

Till next time :)