The Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate

• Dark chocolate increases the amount of antioxidants in your body. Antioxidants are known to fight free radicals – which are directly correlated to wrinkles and aging. “Free radicals are potentially harmful oxygen atoms, which can damage cell structures so badly that DNA codes are altered and immunity is impaired.” [Source: Nutrition News, Vol XXXI, No. 8] In non-scientific terms, they’re a major reason why we “age”. Antioxidants are like the little army soldiers that fight these free radicals – helping to stave off the aging process.
• The Journal of the American Medical Assocation reported that “dark chocolate had the effect of lowering blood pressure”. This study was done on a small group of men and women who experienced mild hypertension.
• By succumbing to your sweet tooth every now and then (with a small bite of dark chocolate), you can actually help yourself stay on track with a healthy diet. The reason is that when you give in to your desire for something sweet, it sends a signal to your brain that you are satiated. Naturally, you don’t want to go over-board and eat an entire cake. So, indulge your craving with a small reward.
• It is important to note that these benefits only come from dark chocolate, not milk or white chocolate. In addition, “drinking a glass of milk with the dark chocolate (cancels) its antioxidant potential.” [Source: Nutrition News, Vol XXXVII, No. 1]

With Mother’s Day just around the corner, now you have even more compelling reasons to give her a box of delicious dark chocolates. That’s what I call a sweet treat!