The benefits of dark chocolate

Kaitlyn Peters, Staff Writer

People are constantly eating sweets like chocolate, but I highly doubt that they know some of it is actually good for you.

Dark chocolate, as opposed to lighter, milk chocolate,  is probably one of the most unpopular kind of chocolates since not many people like the extremely rich flavor. However, dark chocolate can improve one’s health by lowering blood pressure and providing the body with vitamins and other nutrients.

According to Kris Gunnars, in an article at authoritynutrition.com, the flavanols (healthy nutrients in plants) in dark chocolate can stimulate the blood vessels in the lining of arteries to produce nitric oxide, which is a gas. This nitric oxide sends signals to the arteries to relax, which “lowers resistance to blood flow and therefore reduces blood pressure.”

Lower blood pressure will help reduce the risk of stroke or heart disease.

Dark chocolate is loaded with nutrients that can improve your health. If the chocolate is 70 to 85 percent cocoa, it is “one of the best sources of antioxidants on this planet,” as long as the dark chocolate isn’t full of sugar. Antioxidants help repair damaged cells in one’s body.

Dark chocolate could also improve one’s appearance. The biocompounds or antioxidants in dark chocolate make it great for your skin by increasing skin density and improving hydration.

Dark chocolate is also a great way to improve your brain function. For me, I use that as an excuse to eat some dark chocolate every time I do homework.

Although dark chocolate may have pretty great nutritional value, no one should eat too much of it. No matter how great the nutritional value is, you can still gain weight from it.