We all love the sweet smooth after taste associated with chocolate, and it is almost impossible to resist it.
You will find about three different varieties of chocolate in your favorite local store, but it is not all of them that have the same benefits to our health and skin.
Not all chocolates are equal. Some are better than others.
Milk chocolate contains milk, butter, sugar and different measures of cocoa solids, and is the most loved the world over. Its sweet, creamy taste is so irresistible, and most would not mind taking dozens of milk chocolate.
On the other hand, white chocolate does not contain any cocoa solids. The main ingredient is cocoa butter. Sugar and milk are added to give it a special sweet and creamy taste.
Dark chocolate has a large content of cocoa solids. As a result, it is a little bitter compared to the other varieties. Other ingredients are cocoa butter and sugar. However, dark chocolate may contain milk or not.
White chocolate and milk chocolate are the sweetest among the three varieties, and have a huge following among the consumers. It is a case of letting the taste buds lead the way, for most people.
Interestingly, dark chocolate is the most beneficial to our health based on the number of cocoa solids that it has.
The following are the benefits associated with taking dark chocolate.
Reduces Stress:
Magnesium is the essential mineral, often dubbed as the ‘natural chill pill’ that suppresses the production of cortisol, a stress hormone. Stress breaks down collagen and hurts our skin elasticity.
As a result, cell growth cannot occur effectively when stressed, and your body is ineffective in replacing dead cells.
Apart from suppressing the stress hormones, magnesium helps you sleep better. According to research, sleep is critical to cell growth, and that translates to a better hair volume and skin.
Protection against the Sun:
The study, published in the Journal of the US National Library of Medicine, show that chocolate provides skin protection against sunburn. Literally, it is the natural sunscreen.
Dark chocolate reduces skin redness and maintains a smoother texture after exposure to sunlight. The flavonoids in chocolate give your skin the ability to reflect UV rays, protects it from harful UV, and thus prevent skin discoloration.
Has a Range of Antioxidants:
There’s so much good associated with antioxidants in fruit and vegetables. Similarly, dark chocolate has powerful antioxidants that prevent the damaging effects of free radicals. Your skin remains supple and soft for longer, as your body has the ability to get rid of harmful substances.
Enhances Cell Growth:
Dark chocolate is loaded with essential minerals such as zinc, copper, and iron. These essential minerals play a crucial role by promoting cell growth to replace old and dead cells. Dark chocolate also has a detoxifying effect on the skin to keep it glowing and flexible.
Protects the Skin from the Damaging Effects of Ultraviolet Rays:
Long periods of exposure to sunlight can have damaging effects on the skin. However, the antioxidants in dark chocolate can prevent the detrimental effects of exposure through improved blood circulation.
Promotes skin Healing:
The mineral-rich dark chocolate packs a load of healing properties on the skin. It helps get rid of dead cells and remove scars from the skin. As a result, you can maintain a youthful and beautiful skin that attracts attention from afar.
Two melted dark chocolate bars mixed with milk and applied on the face regularly can do the trick of significantly improving skin texture and elasticity.
Improves the Quality of your Hair:
Magnesium, copper, iron, and zinc in dark chocolate are the essential minerals that enhance the quality of your hair. The vital minerals promote cell division and strengthen every strand of hair. Dark chocolate also makes the hair lustrous and soft.
Those with long hair and who often use curling tools can make their hair luscious and smooth by mixing melted dark chocolate with mashed ripe bananas. Add one teaspoon of honey to the mixture and apply it on the hair. Avoid applying on the roots.
Treats Infections in the Scalp:
Dark chocolate has extra-ordinary anti-inflammatory properties that promote healing to the scalp and prevents further development of infections. Taking dark chocolate improves blood flow to the scalp which brings essential nutrients to promote healing.
Improves Hair Volume:
Dark chocolate contains essential minerals that promote cell division. And together with increased blood flow to the scalp, the hair volume improves considerably. Dark chocolate has a positive effect on blood circulation, and that enhances the transfer of nutrients necessary for cell growth to your hair.
Keeps Premature Aging at Bay:
Wrinkles and fine lines on the skin are some of the most visible signs of aging. And even though some can argue that wisdom comes with age, no one fancies having visible signs of wisdom on their skin.
Dark chocolate keeps the skin healthy and prevents pigmentation. It improves collagen content and keeps the skin moisturized.
Eating dark chocolate improves circulation on the skin making it more elastic and healthy to prevent wrinkles. Elastic skin does not have any wrinkles.
Improves Eyesight:
Studies show that dark chocolate can improve visual contrast sensitivity. Visual contrast sensitivity is the ability to see an object at different contrasts. Another research shows that Dark chocolate improves visual clarity and visual acuity.
According to researchers, the flavonoids in dark chocolate improve blood flow in the eyes which transport essential nutrients and oxygen.
Reduces Inflammation:
Inflammation can affect various body processes including cell growth. The flavonoids in dark chocolate prevent inflammation and help in the management of such conditions as eczema.
Improves Heart Health:
The flavonoids in dark chocolate have anti-inflammatory properties, and they promote heart health. Dark chocolate improves the health of endothelial cells on arteries to improve blood flow to the heart.
Helps the Cognitive Function:
Flavonoids penetrate and accumulate in the region of the brain associated with learning. You become a better learner and excel in your studies by eating dark chocolate regularly.
Flavonoids also increase blood flow to the brain thus prevents memory loss, increases attention span and improves problem-solving skills.
For the senior citizens, taking dark chocolate can keep mental decline at a minimum.
Helps Manage Blood Pressure:
Magnesium and copper in dark chocolate help regulate blood pressure and prevent any associated complications such as heart disease and kidney problems.
Improves the Mood:
Dark chocolate increases the production of endorphins or the feel-good hormones. You may notice that your mood improves significantly after taking a delicious bar of chocolate.
Endorphins are associated with reduced stress and pain. Chocolate also has an amino acid related to happiness, tryptophan, which further reduces stress and improves your mood.
Reduces Cholesterol:
Bad cholesterol is the main cause of various diseases such heart diseases. The study, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, shows that dark chocolate reduces bad cholesterol in the body. High cholesterol levels can also cause blockage of arteries and cause such complications as high blood pressure and heart disease. Dark chocolate increases good cholesterol in the body and reduces the harmful effects of bad cholesterol.
Cures Mild Cases of Anemia:
Dark chocolate contains iron and together with iron-rich foods can heal mild cases of anemia. The flavonoids in chocolate help increase the red blood cells in the body.
Prevent Stroke:
Flavonoids such as epicatechin, available in dark chocolate, are known to safeguard the brain against stroke. Studies show that the nerve cells of individuals that consume dark chocolate are less likely to develop stroke compared to those that do not take dark chocolate.
Good for Workouts:
Dark chocolate also contains proteins from the added milk. The proteins together with carbohydrates are a good source of energy for those that desperately need to recover from workouts. Chocolate milkshake will help you build muscles and give you the stamina to push yourself and achieve workout goals.
Living a healthy lifestyle does not have to be boring, add some dark chocolate to your daily diet, apply some to your skin, be creative!
About the Author
Anna is a healthy lifestyle blogger at curltheblessing.com as she is passionate about health, fashion, natural living. She spends most of her time writing for her fashion and healthy lifestyle blog. She has her writing published on thefrisky.com before. Being a writer and a stylist doesn’t really stop her passion from traveling, too. Besides writing, she loves to hang out with her friends. She plans to launch her own beauty brand some day.
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Its been a half a year I have tried different kinds of products and tips, hope it will work for me and give me smooth silky hair.