Benefits of dark chocolate

written by Seoyeon Jang

The sweet, rich taste as chocolate lingers in your mouth — yes, it is irresistible indeed. However, it is one of the obvious truths in this world that chocolate, which contains gazillions of sugar and substances that we cannot even pronounce, is perhaps not the best for our physical health though our mental health loves to indulge in sweet tastes… But would you believe me if I told you that chocolate is actually beneficial in numerous aspects? Oh, wait. Did I forget to mention that it only applies to “dark” chocolate? Oopsies…

Anyway, let‘s get into the actual lesson. First, dark chocolate can be helpful to your cardiovascular health. Dark chocolate is rich in flavonoids, which activate endothelium and the lining of arteries, producing nitric oxide. Nitric oxide helps relax arteries, stimulating blood flow and decreasing blood pressure. Now, wouldn’t this be a perfect gift for your partner? You need not worry about them having a heart attack from getting so many butterflies while spending time with you!

Second benefit is devoted to the students and workers who were perpetually diagnosed with I-Can’t-Concentrate disease, so pay attention! Dark chocolate is known to improve our brain function. Especially, high flavanol cocoa expedites blood flow into the brain, stimulating attention, memory, and cognitive function. If you have ever experienced the fog in your mind dispersing away as you savored chocolate, perhaps it was not simply your feeling — it might have actually helped your brain.

Last but not least, dark chocolate can help us protect our skin from the sun. The bioactive compounds in dark chocolate can increase skin density and keep us hydrated. Such effects are known to keep MED at a higher level, making it unlikely for our skin to get blotches in the sunlight.
Even other than the benefits listed above, there are countless more. Most importantly, it boosts our mood, doesn’t it? If you’re unfamiliar with dark chocolate yet, this article is a sign to add it to your shopping cart!