How would you react if you were told that one of the world’s favorite desserts can lower your blood pressure and cholesterol levels? You’d probably be half ecstatic and half skeptical, right? Here’s the real deal with Dark Chocolate:

Dark chocolate has been studied for years and the results are the same: it improves blood flow, lowers LDL levels, contains serotonin and theobromine, which are anti-depressants and stimulants respectively, and it has an exorbitant amount of antioxidants as well.

Studies from both the National Institute for Food and Nutrition Research in Italy and the University of Cologne Medical College in Germany have reported high levels of Epicatechin in dark chocolate. Epicatechin improves the circulation of blood and provides extra protection against cardiac problems – something we could all use. Just imagine, eating your way into a better heart! How could it get any better than that?

Well, it just could. Another significant finding in the study of dark chocolate revealed that it has a large amount of antioxidants. The antioxidants found in chocolate are Flavonoids and Cathechins, both helping to heighten the body’s resistance to free radicals, which protect us from the effects of cardiovascular disease, aging, and other bodily ailments. These antioxidants contained in dark chocolate are even higher than those of strawberries and are also almost the same found in black tea. Flavonoids can also produce nitric oxide, which helps balance out chemicals and hormones and help in lowering blood pressure as well.

I know its hard not to be skeptical. However, additional studies of dark chocolate have shown that with just 100-150 grams of polyphenol-rich dark chocolate each day, people can lower their blood pressure significantly – some lowering it 11%.

With all this being said, it doesn’t mean you can go on a dark chocolate-eating spree. Remember the old adage, too much of a good thing is bad. Binging on dark chocolate can disrupt your diet and cause weight gain. Despite all the good it can bring to the health-conscious, it is still a huge chunk of calories! One small serving, give or take 100g is more than 500 calories. But if you already ingest 500 calories of junk a day, eating potato chips and your favorite snack bars, you’re better off munching on dark chocolate!

Recommended Chocolate:

For those of you looking for quality dark chocolate, visit Romanicos chocolate.