In a controlled study, cocoa powder was found to significantly decrease oxidized LDL bad cholesterol in men. This makes the LDL particle itself reactive and capable of damaging other tissues, such as the lining of the arteries in your heart.
It makes perfect sense that cocoa lowers oxidized LDL. It contains an abundance of powerful antioxidants that do make it into the bloodstream and protect lipoproteins against oxidative damage 12 , 13 , The flavanols in dark chocolate can also reduce insulin resistance, which is another common risk factor for diseases like heart disease and diabetes 15 , 16 , Dark chocolate improves several important risk factors for disease.
In the long term, this should cause much less cholesterol to lodge in the arteries, resulting in a lower risk of heart disease. Eating chocolate less frequently had no effect A clinical trial found that subjects who consumed almonds with or without dark chocolate showed improved LDL cholesterol levels Observational studies show a drastic reduction in heart disease risk among those who consume the most chocolate.
The bioactive compounds in dark chocolate may also be great for your skin. The flavanols can protect against sun damage, improve blood flow to the skin, and increase skin density and hydration The minimal erythemal dose MED is the minimum amount of UVB rays required to cause redness in the skin 24 hours after exposure.
In one study of 30 people, the MED more than doubled after consuming dark chocolate high in flavanols for 12 weeks But check with your doctor or dermatologist before forgoing your normal skin care routine in favor of more dark chocolate.
Studies show that the flavanols from cocoa can improve blood flow to the skin and protect it from sun damage. One study of healthy volunteers showed that eating high flavanol cocoa for 5 days improved blood flow to the brain Cocoa may also significantly improve cognitive function in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. It may improve verbal fluency and several risk factors for disease, as well Additionally, cocoa contains stimulant substances like caffeine and theobromine, which may be a key reason why it can improve brain function in the short term Cocoa or dark chocolate may improve brain function by increasing blood flow.
It also contains stimulants like caffeine and theobromine. There is considerable evidence that cocoa can provide powerful health benefits, being especially protective against heart disease. Maybe have a square or two after dinner and try to savor them. If you want the benefits of cocoa without the calories in chocolate, consider making a hot cocoa without any cream or sugar.
You might want to check out this guide on how to find the best dark chocolate. Dark chocolates typically contain some sugar, but the amounts are usually small and the darker the chocolate, the less sugar it will contain. American Cancer Society news stories are copyrighted material and are not intended to be used as press releases.
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The American Cancer Society cares about and protects your privacy. The information you provide to the Society will only be used as described in our privacy policy. Is Chocolate Good for You? Written By:Stacy Simon June 2, Reviewed by. The American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team Our team is made up of doctors and oncology certified nurses with deep knowledge of cancer care as well as journalists, editors, and translators with extensive experience in medical writing.
Vaccinations, nutritious lunches, and sleeping right are all part of the equation. In the meantime, if you want to add chocolate to your diet, do so in moderation. Most commercial chocolate has ingredients that add fat, sugar and calories. And too much can contribute to weight gain, a risk factor for high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes.
On the other hand, cocoa itself, unlike chocolate, is low in sugar and fat while offering potential health benefits. If you enjoy chocolate flavor, add plain cocoa to your low-fat milk or morning oats. Katherine Zeratsky, R.
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Can chocolate be good for my health? Answer From Katherine Zeratsky, R. With Katherine Zeratsky, R. Show references Matsumoto C. Chocolate consumption and risk of diabetes mellitus in the Physicians' Health Study.
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