If you have a sweet tooth, you’re not alone. When surveyed, 1 in 4 Americans admitted that they would choose to have at least one piece of candy every day if they could! While many of us might feel hesitant to hit up the candy store this frequently, the good news is, you don’t have to feel guilty about snacking on your daily chocolate candy because chocolate actually has a lot of surprising health benefits!
The Five Health Benefits of Chocolate
- Mood-Boosting
While it’s probably common knowledge that chocolate can cheer you up, there is actually scientific proof to back this up! Chocolate contains an amino acid known as tryptophan that can help increase the production of serotonin in the brain. This increase in serotonin, the body’s natural anti-depressant, can help boost mood and improve overall mental wellbeing! - Heart Healthy
Next time you’re at the candy store perusing their chocolate chewy candies, don’t hesitate to pop a couple of extra pieces into your bag. Chocolate is known to help lower blood pressure and produce an anti-inflammatory effect. This is thanks to the flavonoids that come naturally to the sweet substance. Flavanoids help increase the body’s production of nitric oxide, which in turn helps relax blood vessels and improve circulation. The blood-thinning effect can also help mitigate the risk of stroke! - Artery Protection
Finally, the flavonoids found in chocolate also have the potential to stop bad cholesterol from oxidizing and clogging up your arteries. This is because flavonoids are rich in a saturated fat known as stearic acid. This type of fat doesn’t raise bad cholesterol and has even been shown to potentially increase the levels of good cholesterol in the body. This, coupled with the anti-inflammatory and blood pressure-lowering benefits, can help keep your whole body healthier overall! - Soothing Coughs
With winter upon us, coughing is going to become more frequent. Instead of reaching for the cough drops this season, pop a piece of chocolate! Theobromine, another helpful chemical found in chocolate, can help suppress the urge to cough by impacting the vagus nerve. This can help mitigate your coughing without having to suck on traditional nasty cough drops! - Brainy Benefits
Who knew that a trip to the candy store could help improve your brain function? Epicatechin — yet another important chemical in chocolate — has been found to protect the brain from the build-up of amyloid plaques and sticky proteins that can lead to the onset of Alzheimer’s disease! Who knew that chocolate could do so much for us?!
No longer do we have to feel guilty for frequenting our favorite candy shops and stocking up on sweets; with science to back us up, we can indulge in chocolate without hesitation! So the next time you’re browsing your favorite candy store, add a couple of extra pieces to your basket, after all, they are as delicious as they are good for you!
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