Updated majorly, more of an overhaul, on 8/29/24, due to one reference no longer being viable. A newer article has been cited in its place.
Cocoa/cacao itself contains many nutrients including a range of minerals, antioxidants, high fiber, and a little protein(1). However, that doesn't make chocolate automatically conducive to health. High cocoa content is best(1,2) and low sugar(1) but it must always be consumed in limited amounts(1,2). [There are ways to add plain cocoa powder to healthy recipes not using added sugar at all.] Typical chocolate also generally has additives, heavy metals (including some organic brands!)(1), pesticides, herbicides, and other biocides. A bunch of cocoa also involves slave labor(2). Some studied possible benefits of high-quality chocolate...
- Helps reduce effects of chronic stress(1,2), including "on brain nerve cells that impact memory processing and learning" from isolation stress(1) and reduction of various metabolic stress indicators. Included... cortisol excreted in urine and "gut microbial metabolism."(2)
- Like tea, has flavonoids; shown to boost cognitive performance, help reduce neuron cell death associated with Alzheimer's(2), and help improve blood pressure and blood flow. One part of the body with increased blood flow: skin(1).
- Associated with a median 33% less insulin resistance in diabetics(2); some degree of higher(1,2) beneficial HDL cholesterol(2); and lower LDL cholesterol(1,2). Ironically, though a high-cholesterol food(1), helps prevent blood-vessel-damaging and plaque-forming oxidation of LDL(2).
- Helps prevent UV skin damage. Improved skin condition(1,2) and reduced skin redness(2).
- May inhibit some kinds of cancer(2); helps reduce oxidative stress and in particular the growth and spread of colon and colorectal cancer(1).
Chocolate has some natural caffeine. Also, some individuals may experience some negative effects from chocolate. Some are gastrointestinal distress, mood issues, headaches, and sleep disturbances(1). [I'm not finding at the moment how much of those are actually from the chocolate itself or the quality and naturalness of the source, especially as many mainstream health authorities don't educate on the effects of GMOs and pesticides.]
References:
1. Price, Annie. "How to Get the Benefits of Dark Chocolate & Avoid Heavy Metal Exposure." Dr. Axe: Co-Founder of ANCIENT NUTRITION. Dr. Axe. May 2, 2024. Web. August 29, 2024. https://draxe.com/nutrition/benefits-of-dark-chocolate/.
2. Ji, Sayer. "Chocolate Gives Statins a $29 Billion Run For Their Money." GreenMedInfo. GreenMedInfo.com. 16 April 2012. Web. August 29, 2024. https://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/chocolate-gives-statins-29-billion-run-their-money.
Cocoa/cacao itself contains many nutrients including a range of minerals, antioxidants, high fiber, and a little protein(1). However, that doesn't make chocolate automatically conducive to health. High cocoa content is best(1,2) and low sugar(1) but it must always be consumed in limited amounts(1,2). [There are ways to add plain cocoa powder to healthy recipes not using added sugar at all.] Typical chocolate also generally has additives, heavy metals (including some organic brands!)(1), pesticides, herbicides, and other biocides. A bunch of cocoa also involves slave labor(2). Some studied possible benefits of high-quality chocolate...
- Helps reduce effects of chronic stress(1,2), including "on brain nerve cells that impact memory processing and learning" from isolation stress(1) and reduction of various metabolic stress indicators. Included... cortisol excreted in urine and "gut microbial metabolism."(2)
- Like tea, has flavonoids; shown to boost cognitive performance, help reduce neuron cell death associated with Alzheimer's(2), and help improve blood pressure and blood flow. One part of the body with increased blood flow: skin(1).
- Associated with a median 33% less insulin resistance in diabetics(2); some degree of higher(1,2) beneficial HDL cholesterol(2); and lower LDL cholesterol(1,2). Ironically, though a high-cholesterol food(1), helps prevent blood-vessel-damaging and plaque-forming oxidation of LDL(2).
- Helps prevent UV skin damage. Improved skin condition(1,2) and reduced skin redness(2).
- May inhibit some kinds of cancer(2); helps reduce oxidative stress and in particular the growth and spread of colon and colorectal cancer(1).
Chocolate has some natural caffeine. Also, some individuals may experience some negative effects from chocolate. Some are gastrointestinal distress, mood issues, headaches, and sleep disturbances(1). [I'm not finding at the moment how much of those are actually from the chocolate itself or the quality and naturalness of the source, especially as many mainstream health authorities don't educate on the effects of GMOs and pesticides.]
References:
1. Price, Annie. "How to Get the Benefits of Dark Chocolate & Avoid Heavy Metal Exposure." Dr. Axe: Co-Founder of ANCIENT NUTRITION. Dr. Axe. May 2, 2024. Web. August 29, 2024. https://draxe.com/nutrition/benefits-of-dark-chocolate/.
2. Ji, Sayer. "Chocolate Gives Statins a $29 Billion Run For Their Money." GreenMedInfo. GreenMedInfo.com. 16 April 2012. Web. August 29, 2024. https://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/chocolate-gives-statins-29-billion-run-their-money.
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