I don’t know about you, but I love chocolate. I’m certainly not the type who will shy away from any chocolatey desserts. So, read on: I’m going to let you in on the real reasons we should be including chocolate in our diet.
Dark chocolate—and we’re talking quality stuff here, at least 70 percent cocoa solids—happens to be one of the most anti-inflammatory and antioxidant-rich foods at our disposal. The cocoa bean is a superfood in its own right (full of flavonols), lending itself beautifully to support the benefits of chocolate, which may quite literally spread from our memory to our hearts. It doesn’t just have feel-good, taste-good factors but actual feel-well, live-well ones, too, according to a study published by Loma Linda University.
1. Chocolate Is Heart Healthy
The benefits of chocolate go way beyond a sense of unconditional love—eating around an ounce a day is actually proven to increase the blood flow to our hearts and break up clumps of white blood cells, which can block arteries. The flavonols found in dark chocolate are thought to promote healthy blood vessel function. Harvard Medical School doctors have suggested that it may decrease the risk of heart disease, stroke and heart failure, and it may also lower bad (LDL) cholesterol.
2. Chocolate Might Boost Memory
This delicious bite-size source of superfood puts its anti-inflammatory powers to work right away. Your senses relax with a feeling of euphoria (thank you, endorphins), blood flow increases to our brain and could help boost memory power, reaction times, attention span and problem-solving skills. This doesn’t happen to just the young either…dark chocolate does not take part in age discrimination.
These are the best dark chocolate brands for 2020.
3. Chocolate May Be a Natural Sunscreen
Who doesn’t like to feel the warmth of the sun on their skin? I do. But I always worry about sun damage, even though I layer on SPF 50. But chocolate might help with that. Studies via the National Library of Medicine suggest that its amazing flavonols may help guard the skin against harmful UV rays. Obviously, you still need to use a high factor of sunscreen, but eating dark chocolate also may give you some protection from the inside.
Have you heard? A new fourth type of chocolate has been discovered—ruby chocolate!
4. Chocolate Might Help Fight Wrinkles
Can it be possible that the simple benefits of chocolate could actually help keep you looking young? Yes, it might help. Eating a small amount of dark chocolate a day may give us enough antioxidants to help fight wrinkles and sun damage, according to the Journal of Investigative Dermatology.
Getting hungry? These are our favorite dark chocolate desserts perfect for a healthy after-dinner indulgence.
5. Chocolate Relieves Stress
Let’s face it: Everyone gets stressed. All sorts of maladies can develop in our bodies through stress. It’s comforting to know that I can sit back and relax with a chocolate that will achieve far more than just soothing my woes. After all, researchers have recently found that when a person eats chocolate, their body releases less cortisol and epinephrine during stressful situations.
(Craving chocolate as much as I am right now? Dig into these light chocolate desserts.)
Next time you reach for a bar of chocolate to munch on or cook with, make sure it’s rich in cocoa content. Consider this your secret ingredient to a happy, healthy lifestyle—a bite-size boost at your fingertips.
These Chocolate Recipes Are 100 Calories (or Less!)
Triple Fudge BrowniesWhen you're in a hurry to make dessert, here's a "mix of mixes" that's so convenient and quick. The result is a big pan of very rich, fudgy brownies. Friends who ask me for the recipe are amazed that it's so easy. —Denise Nebel, Wayland, Iowa
Chocolate Macaroon CupcakesA delightful coconut and ricotta cheese filling is hidden inside these chocolate cupcakes. —Dolores Skrout, Summerhill, Pennsylvania
Chocolate Walnut CrescentsI use a round cookie cutter to form the crescent shapes for these nutty favorites. They're so pretty sprinkled with sugar and drizzled with chocolate. —TerryAnn Moore, Vineland, New Jersey
Cashew ClustersI make this recipe for many bake sales at the local community college where I work. They are always the first to sell out.—Betsy Grantier, Charlottesville, Virginia
Almond Cherry FudgeCooked in the microwave, this fast fudge is a sweet addition to any holiday gathering. I make it when I need a quick treat for a school party or to take to a neighbor. —Shellie Tucker, Hendersonvlle, Tennessee
Coconut Creme ChocolatesI'm a proud wife, mom of three and grandma of many. I've cooked many things over the years, including these marshmallowy chocolates. —Dolores Wilder, Texas City, Texas
Frozen Chocolate Monkey TreatsEveryone needs a fun, friendly way for kids to play with food. These rich bites are nutty and yummy. Just coat bananas in chocolate and dip them into peanuts, sprinkles or coconut. —Susan Hein, Burlington, Wisconsin
Chocolate-Dipped Phyllo SticksLooking for a little something special to share with friends or family? Try these crunchy treats. They’re wonderful with coffee or a glass of milk. —Peggy Woodward, Shullsburg, Wisconsin
Simple Macadamia Nut FudgeMy aunt now lives in Hawaii, and she keeps our family supplied with fresh pineapples, mangos and macadamia nuts...along with recipes like this one. When I run out of macadamias for candy-making, I substitute pecans. Whichever nuts I use, neighbors like this fudge so much that they have started to call me the "Candy Lady of Cleveland." —Vicki Fioranelli, Cleveland, Mississippi
Homemade Chocolate ShortbreadThis recipe has been in my files for a long time...probably from when I first learned to bake. Any chocolate lover will like these melt-in-your-mouth cookies. I make them year-round with variations. They're even richer with a thin coat of icing or as a sandwich cookie with frosting in the middle. —Sarah Bueckert, Austin, Manitoba
Chocolate Toffee CrunchiesFrom the buttery crust to the golden toffee, melted chocolate and chopped pecans, these bars are filled with Noel flavor. —Joni Crans, Woodhull, New York
Chocolate TrufflesYou may be tempted to save these chocolate truffles for a special occasion since these smooth, creamy chocolates are divine. But with just a few ingredients, this truffle recipe is easy to make anytime. —Darlene Wiese-Appleby, Creston, Ohio
Truffle CherriesChocolate is popular at our house, especially during the holidays, so these double chocolate gems never last long! —Anne Drouin, Dunnville, Ontario
Chocolate Mint CreamsThis recipe came from an old family friend and is always high on everyone's cookie request list. I make at least six batches for Noel nibbling and give some away as gifts. —Beverly Fehner, Gladstone, Missouri
Triple-Chocolate Peppermint CookiesSanta is sure to stop by your house if you leave these minty triple-chocolate peppermint cookies waiting for him. They're quick and easy for the whole family to make together. —Teresa Ralston, New Albany, Ohio
Chocolate CaramelsWhen I was growing up, my mom made these delicious candies every Christmas. They were my favorite then and still are today. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
Mint Brownie Cheesecake CupsSet several plates of these fuss-free brownie cheesecake bites around the house for guests to munch on as they mingle. Bursting with mint chocolate, they’ll be the talk of the party. —Janet Payne, Lawrenceville, Georgia
Chocolate Caramel Kiss CookiesI make this cookie every Christmas with my family. It’s a fun twist on a classic peanut butter blossom because of the cinnamon in the batter and the caramel kiss on top. We love the cinnamon-caramel combination, but you could switch out the kiss for a different festive flavor. —Kristen Heigl, Staten Island, New York
Homemade Butterfinger BitesBent on using up a stash of leftover candy corn, I decided to experiment. Turns out, if you melt it, mix it with peanut butter and coat the balls with chocolate, you get a softer, denser version of a Butterfinger bite. Who knew? They’re delicious! —Melissa Hansen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Chocolate Crinkle CookiesWhen I baked this moist, fudgy chocolate crinkle cookie recipe for the first time, my three preschool children went wild over them! But I like them because they're lower in fat and easy to mix and bake. —Maria Groff, Ephrata, Pennsylvania
Creme de Menthe TrufflesI found this in a box of recipe clippings and decided to give them a whirl. I'm so glad I did! The minty flavor is perfect for Christmas. —Joe Mattes, Amana, Iowa
Quadruple Chocolate Chunk CookiesOf all the recipes in my repertoire, I knew my Quadruple Chocolate Chunk Cookies would have the best shot of winning. But really, when your cookies feature Oreos, candy bars and all the other goodies that go into this sweet treat, you’re nearly guaranteed to turn out a winner. —Jeff King, Duluth, Minnesota
Light & Creamy Chocolate PuddingThis pudding is exactly what its name promises—light and creamy. Because it uses soy milk, it’s a smart choice if you’re lactose intolerant. —Deborah Williams, Peoria, Arizona
