The top 5 health benefits of dark chocolate

Ever wonder why we use Dark Chocolate at JOJO's instead of Milk Chocolate? Turns out, dark chocolate is amazing for you. And not just because it boosts your mood, either. Here are the top five health benefits of dark chocolate. 

#1: It’s loaded with antioxidants

You’ve probably heard a lot of buzz about antioxidants in recent years — and for good reason. These substances defend your body against free radicals, which are basically unstable atoms that are a byproduct of your body breaking down food. Scientists link these free radicals to a whole bunch of stuff we don’t want, including cancer, arthritis, asthma, and dementia.

Fortunately, when you’ve got an army of antioxidants working in your body, they mitigate the effects of free radicals, keeping you healthier. And dark chocolate contains a ton of antioxidants. In fact, one study found that cacao beats even acai in this category. 

#2: It’s got plenty of nutrients, too

While the antioxidants alone might be enough to have you reaching for the chocolate, we have more good news. Dark chocolate also contains a ton of other ingredients your body needs, including:

• Iron
• Magnesium
• Manganese
• Copper
• Potassium
• Fiber
• Zinc
• Healthy fatty acids

And that’s not even a comprehensive list! 

#3: It helps your blood flow

High blood pressure puts our health at risk — and is devastatingly common. Fortunately, you can combat it with dark chocolate. This chocolate contains flavanols that help your arteries open up, improving blood flow and lowering blood pressure.

Oh, and that benefit extends to blood flow to your brain, too. In fact, studies link cocoa consumption and improved cognitive function.

#4: It’s good for your heart

If you’ve got a chocolate habit, we’ve got good news. One study literally examined “habitual chocolate consumption” and found that people who eat chocolate often have a lowered risk for “cardiovascular events” (think: heart attack and stroke). Guess all that Valentine’s Day linking between chocolate and hearts extends well past a simple marketing tactic. 

#5: It supports skin health

Those flavanols we talked about earlier aren’t just good for your arteries. The improved blood flow they support also helps your skin stay healthy. And — get this — dark chocolate can even help you avoid a sunburn. People who consistently ate dark chocolate for a few months experienced less skin redness after sun exposure. It turns out, those flavanols help your skin protect itself against UV light. 

Plus, the manganese in dark chocolate helps your skin make collagen, the protein that keeps it tight and smooth. 

See? Dark chocolate does much more good than harm — provided you choose a high-quality version with minimal sugar. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. 

Enjoy that chocolate — guilt-free!