The Benefits Of Chocolate

For chocolate lovers there is good news! Chocolate has been found to be beneficial for health after all and even may be related to longevity.

Of course, I am not talking about the high sugar varieties or even white chocolate. White chocolate does not actually contain the Coco that is the beneficial substance used to make chocolate. It is made using other things but is still called “chocolate.”

So the beneficial part of chocolate is actually the Coco, and the more Coco the better. For this reason dark chocolate is the most beneficial type, since it contains the most concentrated type of Coco. It often contains less sugar than other varieties. If you can find chocolate that has no added sugar that would be even better.

In fact, you do not have to actually eat chocolate bars but you can buy Coco powder and make a drink from it, add it milk, or even add it to recipes or your cooking. I have used in cooking and as a drink.

The benefits of chocolate:

1) It is anti aging. This is because it is full of antioxidants and these benefit the skin and hair as well as delaying age related issues. Chocolate – without the sugar – is said to reduce wrinkles and may also delay grey hair because it is a source of copper and iron, which are important for healthy hair and maintaining colour. Copper is also a nutrient important in preventing wrinkles.

2) It is useful for feelings of sadness and depression. Coco contains some amount of caffeine and chocolate is said to do away with the blues when we are feeling down. Perhaps this is why people often reach for the chocolate when having a bad day. Eating chocolate, or Coco can be uplifting and it tastes good at the same time. Perhaps mix some with oats for a chocolate flavoured uplifting snack (porridge).

3) Coco is said to stimulate the same hormones and areas of the brain that happen when we fall in love. Therefore, chocolate can create the feeling of being in love, which also contributes to our feeling more positively about life. This is probably the underlying reason why giving chocolates is something traditional amongst loved ones.

4) Chocolate can help in concentration and learning. In fact, I had one teacher who advised people who find it difficult to concentrate to make a drink of Coco and add a teaspoon of honey, then eat three dates with that and she said you should be able to concentrate for several hours. I guess this is because Coco powder contains moderate amounts of caffeine. It also contains iron and antioxidants which oxygenise the cells and benefit the brain.

5) It improves skin and hair texture. Chocolate contains iron, copper, and some amount of caffeine. These are beneficial to our hair and skin. In fact, when I was regularly drinking Coco people told me that my face looked a lot better. I also noticed my hair improve in texture and became slightly thicker. Antioxidants in chocolate encourage oxygen to reach our cells, which can help us improve our complexion and become more radiant.

Due to all the above, it is clear that chocolate cravings are not altogether bad and might be in our best interest. In fact, I had recently seen a YouTube video where someone claimed that green tea, grapes and chocolate could all protect us against coronavirus. Since chocolate contains high amounts of anti oxidants it is likely to benefit the immune system and strengthen us. There are some claims it can increase longevity. However, that of course depends on how we eat chocolate and what we eat it with. Too much sugar may undo the benefits that we get from eating it.

There are often alternatives to the sugared varieties in various stores. If not, it may be possible to make your own version.