Did you know that eating more chocolate may make you smarter?! According to

a recent article in the New England Journal of Medicine, countries that eat more chocolate produce more Nobel Prize winners. It doesn’t take a genius to know that eating large quantities of dark chocolate can boost your brain power.

Chocolate is one of the great superfoods out there, packed with nutrients. Dark chocolate can stimulate the brain because

of its high levels of antioxidants, called flavanoids, to help keep the brain sharp and focused. These nutrients help relax your blood vessels to deliver more blood to the brain – but only if the chocolate is a dark and pure.

Below are 7 reasons why you can feel good about indulging more often in this dark and delicious chocolate treat.

#1 Chocolate Improves Your Mood

Who doesn’t eat chocolate and feel better?! The benefit of dark chocolate is that it increases the levels of neurotransmitters in your brain so that you can appreciate good mental health. Feelings of wellbeing and happiness are the result of dark chocolate’s ability to boost ser0tonin, dopamine and tryptophan.  Dark chocolate also promotes healthy endorphin levels in your body, which act like opiates and produce a “natural high.”

#2 Chocolate is Rich in Antioxidants

Dark chocolate contains the polyphenols, which act as powerful antioxidants in your body that prevent degenerative diseases. These antioxidants contribute to good health by scavenging free radicals and preventing them from damaging your cells and DNA. In addition, the antioxidants in dark chocolate can help to fight cancer and heart disease.

#3 Chocolate Encourages Healthy Cholesterol Levels

Studies on dark chocolate have found that the high polyphenol content of dark chocolate  helps to increase the “healthy” high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels in your body. Dark chocolate also helps to lower the “unhealthy” low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels in your body and thereby improves the HDL/LDL ratio. This is beneficial because a healthy HDL/LDL cholesterol ratio is indicative of good health and it drastically reduces your risk for developing cardiovascular disorders.

#4 Chocolate Helps You Lose Weight

Chocolate has a bad rep for being “fattening” and many individuals who are trying to lose weight avoid it indulging in dark chocolate. However, it is the sugar, nuts and many other ingredients that are added to most chocolate bars that contribute to weight gain, and not the chocolate itself.

Dark chocolate can help you to lose weight because it is very rich, so just a small amount can help to satisfy your cravings and prevent you from overindulging in other sweets which lead to weight gain. Also, many people eat to suppress negative emotions such as sadness or depression, and as mentioned above, dark chocolate works as a natural mood booster. The benefit of eating dark chocolate is that it will diminish your desire to gorge on comfort foods.

#5 Chocolate Increases Energy

Many people lack energy and rely heavily on stimulants to get them through the day. If you are currently trying to lose weight and vehemently counting calories, you are likely to fall into this category. Restrictive dieting can be exhausting! Fortunately, eating dark chocolate can give you an energy boost without the anxiety and jitters associated with stronger stimulants such as coffee or energy drinks.

According to a study conducted at the University of Nottingham, dark chocolate helps to increase energy levels by boosting blood flow to the brain and body, and the increased blood flow can last up to three hours. In addition, chocolate contains a small amount of caffeine – enough to give you a boost, but not enough to cause the subsequent crash associated with highly caffeinated beverages. Finally, dark chocolate contains theobromine which helps to provide a relaxed feeling whilst simultaneously fighting mental and physical fatigue.

#6 Chocolate Promotes Good Health

Dark chocolate is packed full of nutrients that promote good health. It is a good source of calcium, magnesium, potassium and iron. It also helps to stabilize blood sugar levels and decrease appetite, making it especially beneficial if you’re trying to lose weight. In addition, studies have found that dark chocolate reduces inflammation, increases blood flow to the heart and arteries, reduces blood clot risk, increases cognitive performance in the elderly and may even lower blood pressure.

How to Obtain These Benefits

To obtain all of the health benefits and nutrients that dark chocolate has to offer, the University of Michigan Health System recommends choosing a product that contains at least 60% cocoa and is made from organic or free trade cocoa beans. Also, look for a product that is made WITHOUT hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils. Finally, if you are calorie counting or trying to lose weight, eat a chocolate bar with a low sugar content, or one that is made with a low-calorie sugar alternative such as stevia.

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