“I don’t think I could live out this one day without it,” says the young woman from New York City to me as she hands me a small sample of dark chocolate brownies and other sweets. She points her index finger at a box that holds several dozen of them, including mini doughnuts, caramel corn, pretzel bites, and miniature candied cherries — and then smiles wistfully. She’s had many days like this in my office, where we are the only ones who can make cacao beans look so delicious. It has been years since I have seen anyone eat anything else besides dark chocolate brownies.
I think back on how those little squares of chocolate — made fresh every morning in the shape of an almond — always came with their own sense of optimism and warmth that just melted into each bite. They weren’t something special or unusual or strange, just something that you would order in any ordinary cafe — a tiny treat that seemed to be there because it was so simple and plain. This summer, I wonder what that simplicity means. If anything, it must feel even more important to use it to change one’s life.
I think about all that time spent sitting by my desk after our daily walk, working up the courage to ask myself the question that is probably more often asked every single time someone asks “why?” These past couple of weeks, I have felt like I am constantly asking myself these same questions. Every time I sit down, I think: How do I feel now that I have stopped living like that little girl who grew up eating cacao brownies every moment without any other distractions or responsibilities? Sometimes, I wonder if I will ever feel this way again. But maybe not. At least not until I stop seeing myself as a poor little misfit whose existence depends solely upon the kindness of others, on the sweetness of chocolate, on whether I eat candy, and/or on whether I do what everyone around me does.
Because it probably isn’t true, but dark chocolate is actually quite tasty. The reason lies entirely within its unique flavor profile. And because I love it, I’m going to share my favorite ten ways it’s GOOD FOR YOU so we can all find our bliss. So give yourself permission to indulge in some dark chocolate fun and try some of your favorites today!
1. It brings happiness to both rich and thin people alike
A quick study in psychology shows that we tend to have different reactions when trying a new food than when experiencing the first time it was eaten. In terms of emotions like joy, sadness, satisfaction, and disgust, we experience the taste differently. While happy people can enjoy the delicious taste of dark chocolate better than sad ones, the same cannot be said about hungry stomachs. Eating dark chocolate helps us feel satisfied. As a result, we choose to consume it again and again, which also makes us feel happier. A great example of this phenomenon is found in children’s studies. Children who ate low-fat milk chocolate had lower blood sugar concentrations than children who had consumed no dairy chocolate. However, they were not satisfied with the taste when they left the kitchen at night and returned. Another study showed that children who drank dark chocolate regularly tended to exhibit higher self-esteem, greater physical health, enhanced attention span, and improved mood — all of which lead to a desire to keep consuming.
2. It may reduce diabetes risks and improve heart health
Drinking dark chocolate keeps blood sugar levels stable. When our bodies start adjusting to the fact that the body needs a little extra sugar in the blood, it tends to release insulin into the bloodstream. Insulin regulates the production of glucose, the main source of energy for the cells. Blood sugar is typically very high after meals when our brain senses hunger because of increased cortisol levels (which raise our blood sugar). Our brains also produce more serotonin, an hormone that promotes feelings of pleasure, making us more likely to want to sleep well at night. Studies show that flavonoid-rich dark chocolate decreases fasting blood sugar significantly because it stimulates beta cells to metabolize glycogen. Furthermore, it increases insulin secretion so your muscles respond better. All this means that dark chocolate is good for overall heart health and reduces risk factors for diabetes.
3. It boosts cognitive functioning
Dark chocolate encourages thinking and thought. Research indicates that dark chocolate consumption can help boost creativity, IQ scores, memory, attention, learning, and even impulse control. According to another investigation, dark chocolate activates the brain structure responsible for learning. That means it might help enhance our focus and concentration, helping us get through our workdays more efficiently.
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4. It helps manage symptoms associated with anxiety
Dark chocolate also contains flavanols that have anti-anxiety properties. Several studies show that flavanols promote positive feelings, such as calmness, comfort, and relaxation. Not only that, they also appear to relieve depression and anxiety symptoms. One experiment showed that rats who ate cocoa dark chocolate twice a day for a month had fewer anxious behaviors than rats who did not eat chocolate. In addition to increasing positive feelings, dark chocolate helped decrease stress. Flavanols also act as antioxidants, which protect against free radicals. Free radicals are molecules that break down proteins, DNA, and RNA. Over time, free radicals damage parts of our body that carry important information (including our central nervous system.) What’s more, the chemicals in dark chocolate inhibit inflammation, which allows the body to heal faster.
5. It improves skin health
Dark chocolate is loaded with flavanones, which provide nourishment to your skin. To understand how much it benefits your skin, look at the following picture from a science publication that lists over 300 potential biological effects. Researchers say dark chocolate may aid collagen synthesis, which protects the skin and provides elasticity, while cocoa butter activates melanocytes, which allow it to absorb the antioxidants in the fat, vitamins B1 and E, and minerals for healthy skin.
6. It boosts immune system function
Dark chocolate has been shown to help strengthen the immune system by activating white blood stem cells. White blood stem cells play a crucial role in protecting against bacteria and viruses. Consuming dark chocolate may contribute to boosting immunity because it may stimulate leukocytes, T-cells, neutrophils, and mast cells, all cells needed for optimal immune function. Additionally, flavanols in dark chocolate appear to reduce oxidative stress in the body, which negatively affects immune cell functions. Oxidative stress leads to lowered defenses against disease in the form of increased susceptibility to infections. Dark chocolate may help eliminate toxins and improve inflammatory markers, therefore improving overall immune health.
7. It supports bone health
Dark chocolate contains calcium, magnesium, and sodium. Calcium helps prevent osteopenia and osteoporosis, which cause bones to fracture. Magnesium helps the nerves to communicate with your bones via nerve impulses, thereby reducing pain. Finally, sodium aids muscle contraction, which promotes better bone density. Therefore, darker chocolates provide nutrients essential for proper bone health.
8. It promotes weight loss
Scientists believe dark chocolate can help reduce food cravings. Cocoa has natural compounds called polyphenols, which have antioxidant qualities that aid with weight loss. By increasing the number of calories your body uses, dark chocolate can stimulate metabolism and burn fat. It prevents the release of appetite-stimulating hormones called ghrelin and leptin, thereby suppressing food intake instead of eating foods.
9. It may help you live longer
One of the most significant claims researchers have given regarding dark chocolate is that drinking four ounces daily for 30 days may increase longevity by seven percent. Two scientists analyzed data from 8,000 men in the U.S. ages 40-70 years and found that taking dark chocolate regularly reduced mortality by 5 percent. Other studies also support the idea. Scientists in Japan examined the link between regular dark chocolate consumption and longer life expectancy. Participants in the study consumed 3.9 ounces (100 grams) daily by snacking. After 14 months, those who took dark chocolate each day had 17 percent less chance of dying than those who didn’t. Furthermore, this effect was seen among older participants, regardless of how much weight they had lost. Those who took chocolate for six years also saw fewer illnesses and deaths.
10. It doesn’t contain artificial ingredients
As long as dark chocolate is made from real cacao plants, it doesn’t use additives, preservatives, or sugars that are harmful to humans or the environment. Instead, the product is produced using pure cacao beans grown in Peru, Brazil, and Central America. Some companies buy cacao beans directly from farmers and pack them individually for shipment, leaving the rest to rot in waste-filled landfills. Instead, they purchase whole beans and ferment them at a controlled temperature. Processed products that come from factories are full of toxic chemical substances like pesticides, herbicides, heavy metals, and fungicides, causing pollution of waterways and affecting human health. Buying cacao beans directly from farmers lowers environmental impact over time, minimizing carbon emissions.
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