You Could be Underestimating the Power of Dark Chocolate

Who doesn’t love dark chocolates? It is the yummiest and loaded with nutrients. Apart from fulfilling your cravings, dark chocolate can improve your health and lower the risk of heart disease.
 
Following are some of the health benefits of dark chocolate that are supported by science and research.
  

  
Improves Blood Flow and Lowers Blood Pressure:
Many types of research and studies show that cocoa and dark chocolate can improve blood flow and lower blood pressure, though the effects are usually mild.
  

  
Reduce Risk of Heart Disease:
In a study of 470 older men, cocoa was found to reduce the risk of death from heart disease by 50% over 15 years. Another research showed that eating dark chocolate more than five times per week lowered the risk of heart disease by 57%.
  

  
Protects your Skin from Sun:
Dark chocolate protects your skin against sun damage, improves blood flow to the skin, and increases skin density and hydration. So, if you’re planning a vacation with friends or family, consider having some extra dark chocolate. 
  

  
Improves Brain Function:
The good news isn’t over yet. Dark chocolate also improves the function of your brain. One research showed that eating cocoa for 5 days improved blood flow to the brain.
Cocoa also significantly improves cognitive function in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. It improves verbal fluency and several risk factors for disease, as well. 
  

  
There is considerable evidence that cocoa can provide powerful health benefits, but this doesn’t mean you should go all out and consume lots of chocolate every day. So, have a square or two after dinner. And if you want to enjoy the benefits of cocoa without the calories in chocolate, consider making hot cocoa without any cream or sugar.