Dark chocolate is the ultimate. Hell, I’ll be the first to stand up and clap for that. I’m so much of a fan that even I used to date (I kind of use that term loosely; it was more like “kicked it” for quite some time) someone who I nicknamed “Godiva” because that’s how dark, rich and smooth his skin was (whew-whee!). Okay, but let me stay on topic.
As someone who also likes dark chocolate in its edible form, I’ve actually known about the many ways that dark chocolate can benefit my health for several years now. Today, I simply want to share the wealth with all of you. The key is not to read this and then rush over to the candy aisle in your favorite grocery store. Nah, to get all of the goodness listed here, you’ve got to be prepared to eat the kind of dark chocolate that is so pure, it kind of has a bit of a chalky taste and texture (I’m just being honest).
Sure, it won’t be the sweetest experience on the planet yet, but after you get used to it, I can assure you that it will become one of the favorite parts of your day, as far as contributing to your health and well-being goes. Are you ready to find out the dark chocolate health benefits that make eating it so awesome and amazing for you? For starters, here are 12 proven reasons.
Dark Chocolate Health Benefits
1. Dark Chocolate Is Basically a Multivitamin
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So long as you’re consuming dark chocolate that contains at least 70 percent cocoa, you can be sure that you’re getting a good amount of fiber, magnesium, copper, manganese, and iron in your system. Not only that but dark chocolate also contains zinc, antioxidants, potassium, and selenium as well. So, if you’re looking for something that will give you a boost of nutrients in just a couple of bites, eating 1-2 squares of a dark chocolate bar can absolutely do the trick.
Just make sure that you go with a brand that contains a high amount of cocoa, and a low amount of sugar and that you only keep bars around for two years max (because yes, dark chocolate does have an expiration date).
2. It’s Got Cognitive Benefits
At the end of the day, flavonoids are compounds that are found in plants, fruits, veggies, and leaves. That said, something else that dark chocolate has in it is this compound. That’s good to know because there are studies that indicate that flavonoids can help to increase blood flow to the brain in a way that can help to improve your memory and increase your attention span. Other studies reveal that flavonoids can help to prevent dementia later on in life as well.
3. It Protects Your Skin from UV Rays
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One way that you can protect your skin from the sun, from the inside out, is to eat dark chocolate. It’s beneficial in this way because dark chocolate contains bioactive compounds and the antioxidants, phenols, and catechins that all work together to shield your skin from getting sunburn or, worse — skin cancer. And although melanated skin is not as vulnerable to either of these, that doesn’t mean we’re still not at risk. Always remember that. Yeah, eat some chocolate (use sunscreen, too!) to stay on top of avoiding these skin-related health problems.
4. Dark Chocolate Is Good for Your Skin in Other Ways Too
Magnesium can help to prevent breakouts. Copper helps to promote the production of collagen. Iron reduces the appearance of dark circles underneath your eyes and helps to give your skin a nice glow. Zinc helps to reduce skin inflammation. Antioxidants will help your skin retain moisture, soften the appearance of wrinkles, and give your skin more elasticity. Since dark chocolate contains all of these nutrients, I’m sure you can see where I’m going with this.
A word of caution, though: There are some studies that say that dark chocolate can trigger breakouts in people who already have acne-prone skin. The main reason is that sometimes dark chocolate is able to stimulate the bacteria that cause pimples in the first place. If anything, this is an additional reminder to eat dark chocolate that is as pure as possible and to not overdo it if acne is something that is a consistent issue for you.
5. It Strengthens Your Hair and Nourishes Your Scalp
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There are a few reasons why dark chocolate is good for your hair’s health and well-being. Since it contains anti-inflammatory properties, it makes it easier for nutrients to get to your hair follicles and ultimately strengthen your hair. If dandruff is what you struggle with, the zinc in dark chocolate can help to reduce the flaking, itchiness, and irritation. And since dark chocolate is full of iron, consuming it can help to prevent hair loss, too (since hair loss is oftentimes directly tied to an iron deficiency).
6. Dark Chocolate Reduces Stress
Heart disease. Asthma. Diabetes. Accelerated aging. Obesity. Guess what all of these things have in common? They are health-related issues that are directly connected to increased stress levels. Now, guess what can help out in the stress department? Yep, you guessed it: dark chocolate. The bottom line here is the stress hormone cortisol doesn’t like dark chocolate very much.
That’s because, when you consume it, the properties that are in the chocolate actually lower cortisol levels so that you feel calmer and more relaxed. Yeah, this dark chocolate thing just keeps on getting better and better, doesn’t it?
7. It Hardens Tooth Enamel
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If there’s one thing that you need to go out of your way to preserve, it’s the enamel that is on your teeth. The reason why is because, although you can remineralize it, what you can’t do is grow it back. That’s because, although tooth enamel is reportedly the hardest tissue that your body produces because it’s not comprised of living cells, once it’s gone…it’s gone. Now watch this: something that can help to harden tooth enamel is dark chocolate. That’s due to a compound in it known as CBH.
Know what else? Some medical professionals say that there are other properties in dark chocolate that seem to be even more effective than fluoride when it comes to keeping tooth decay at bay. Now, how wild is that?
8. It Lowers Your Blood Pressure
Are you someone who deals with hypertension? There are studies that say that the compounds in dark chocolate can help to dilate blood vessels. This is a good thing because that helps to increase blood flow throughout your body, which ultimately lowers your blood pressure in the process. Something else to keep in mind is there are properties in dark chocolate that can lower your bad cholesterol levels (your LDL cholesterol) as they increase your good ones (your HDL cholesterol levels).
9. Dark Chocolate Is Good for Your Gut
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Eighty percent of your immunity is in your gut. And just what role does dark chocolate play in that lil’ tidbit of information? Well, according to science, the fiber and antioxidants that are in cocoa are actually fermented within your digestive tract. That’s helpful intel because that is what helps to nurture the microbes within your body that fight against inflammation. As a bonus, due to dark chocolate’s high fiber content, it can help to make digestion (and elimination) easier, too.
10. It Boosts Your Mood
Speaking of your gut health, did you know that when it’s not in the best state, it can significantly alter your moods? On the flip side, when your gut is good, you can find yourself having more energy and feeling happier as well. It is definitely, something to keep in mind if it’s that time of the month or you’re looking for something to get you through the workday after your lunch break.
11. It Can Help You to Lose Weight
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Although it might sound a bit contradictory, remember that getting all of these benefits from dark chocolate means that you are not eating a dark chocolate Snickers. What you are eating kind of takes a bit of getting used to because the purer dark chocolate is, the more it can kind of taste bittersweet. With that being reiterated, there is science to back up that dark chocolate can even help you lose weight.
Since it can help you to eliminate toxins, reduce hunger cravings, and even improve your insulin sensitivity — and since all of this plays a direct role in shedding a few pounds…if you’re looking for a worthwhile weight-loss snack, dark chocolate is something that you should definitely consider. For this and the wonderful 11 other reasons mentioned above.
12. Dark Chocolate Makes Sex Better
If you’ve heard somewhere that dark chocolate is a surefire aphrodisiac, there is indeed some truth to that. Aside from the fact that the antioxidants in it can give you energy to “get the job done,” there are properties in the chocolate that help to trigger feel-good hormones like dopamine and serotonin. There are even science-based studies that say women who consume chocolate on a consistent basis tend to have a higher sex drive than those who don’t. And if that doesn’t get you interested in upping your dark chocolate intake, chile, I don’t know what will!
Now, when are you gonna go and treat yo’ self to some? Today…right? Perfect.
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Now, with more than 20 years of experience in professional aviation, starting with American Eagle Airlines and then on to becoming a captain at American Airlines, she has continued to pay it forward. In 2022, she made history as the first commercial airline captain to lead an all-Black, women-led flight crew. She has also written a biography on Bessie Coleman, the first African-American and Native-American woman to earn a pilot’s license, and produced and directed, Discovering Bessie Coleman, working alongside the family to get the project completed. Add to that her role as a founder of consulting firm LadyAv8rBeth, which offers a guide of pathways into aviation, and as a podcast host covering all things aviation.
For Women’s History Month, xoNecole caught up with the busy pilot, in between flights, to talk about her career journey, her role in a Bessie Coleman documentary and book, how she balances self-care and safety, and how other Black women can add to the aviation legacy:
xoNecole: You’ve built an successful career in aviation. And you were only 15 and already had your first flight. Were you afraid at all, or did it feel like second nature to you?
Beth Powell: It felt completely natural. There was no fear, just excitement and curiosity.
Now, it’s what they call STEM, and my teacher at the time thought that I was really good at numbers. He recommended three career paths, and I tried the first one.
I didn't understand why it made sense back then at 15, but as I grew up and met other pilots, I recognized that the reason I liked math and physics was that we were technical learners. So we like to break things apart and put them back together. We like to check procedures. We like to write manuals. We were technical artists.
xoN: That’s such an important message. Many young women and girls are often discouraged from pursuing careers in STEM or aviation, so it’s incredible to hear your story. Now, fast forward a bit—how did you transition into your corporate career with larger airlines?
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BP: After that first discovery flight, I quickly finished my high school classes and graduated at 16. By 17, I had earned my private pilot’s license, and by 18, my commercial license. Then, I moved to the U.S. to attend flight school in Florida. While working on my degree in professional aeronautics, I began working for American Eagle Airlines at just 21. Over the years, I’ve built my career and have now spent 25 years in the airline industry, including 14 years at American Eagle and 11 years at American Airlines. In terms of leadership, being a captain is key.
As a captain, I’m responsible for the aircraft, the crew, and the passengers. It’s a huge responsibility, and you learn a lot about leadership when you’re in charge of so much.
Being a captain definitely teaches you leadership. You’re in charge of every aspect of the flight from the moment you sign in to the moment you sign out. From overseeing the crew to managing the safety and well-being of passengers, you have to make quick decisions and take responsibility. Even when you’re starting out as a first officer, you’re learning vital leadership skills that prepare you for the captain role.
xoN: There's a lot going on with airlines right now that might make someone feel afraid in terms of some of the tragedies that have recently happened. How do you sustain your self-care balance and your resilience in the aviation industry when those sorts of things happen?
BP: I truly believe that aviation is still the safest and the No. 1 safest means of transportation. I say that proudly. For any airline, any pilot, any air traffic controller—anyone who works in the industry—safety is our number one priority. However, of course, we see things happening in the news, and it is concerning to passengers.
What I'm telling everybody to do right now, including myself, is that it's very important to have your source of strength. I'm a Christian, and one of my sources of strength is prayers. I go deep within my prayers every morning, and I pray to God, giving things that I can't control to him, and the rest— I can do my best to deal with.
No. 2 is meditation on the Deepak Chopra app. Ever since COVID happened, that was the first time I thought that I needed something more than just my prayers to help me go through to calm down the noise around me.
And last but not least, I'm really big on self-development. I read, I read, and I read. If your foundation is strong, you have something to build from. And so, when I read, I learn a lot about myself. I learn about what triggers me and when something triggers me. I literally hear the Kendrick Lamar song, "TV Off" in my head, because sometimes you need to shut the noise off.
xoN: That's amazing—the combination of faith and just being excellent at what you do. Now, how did you get involved with the Bessie Coleman project?
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BP: I sit on the board of advisers for an organization called Sisters of the Skies, and was at a gala celebrating with all our Black women of our achievements. At the end of the night, Dr. Sheila Chamberlain walked up to me. She was the first Black woman U.S. combat intelligence aviator in the Army. So, if she's walking up to me, it's very serious. She said, ‘I have a favor to ask.’ I said, ‘Yes.’ I did not hear what the favor was. I didn't know what she was going to ask me, but somebody like that walking up to you saying, ‘a favor’? The answer is yes.
She told me [the project involved] helping the Bessie Coleman family elevate the story. ‘I'd like you to ask your company if they will do a flight in honor of Bessie Coleman.’ I went to the different departments at American Airlines, and the rest was literally history. We did that flight on August 8, 2022, and it became a historical flight because everyone on that flight, from the ground up, was a Black woman.
Gigi Coleman, Bessie’s grand-niece, was also on that flight. We started chatting at the end of the flight. Another night, we were hanging out—Sheila, Gigi, and I—and she kept telling me she wanted to write a book, that she wished there was a movie, and that people approached her about it. Nothing had been done as yet. And I thought, sounds like another mission.
I literally took it on. We do have a documentary with the family sharing their perspective of who Bessie Coleman is. And we do have a book called Queen of the Skies.
xoN: For the young women who are looking for career paths in aviation, what are some skills they need to thrive?
BP: While you don't necessarily have to love math to be a pilot, technical knowledge is important. You’ll need to understand aircraft systems and aerodynamics. This includes weather patterns and instrument training. It might seem daunting at first, but the great thing about flight training is that it builds on itself. The more you learn, the more it all clicks. Also, aviation is constantly changing, and you need to be adaptable.
It’s a field where you need to be ready for anything, from unexpected weather to technical issues. Being open to learning new things and adjusting to change is crucial.
My daughter, who has her private pilot’s license, once said, “This journey is both challenging and rewarding. I feel like I’ve grown so much since starting.” It’s important to keep going, even when it gets tough.
To help others, I’m outlining how they can go from “zero to hero” as a pilot. I offer this information freely on my Instagram account, and it’s something I’m passionate about sharing. I want everyone to have access to the resources they need to follow their dreams.
For more information on Beth Powell, the Bessie Coleman documentary, and aviation career resources, visit LadyAv8rBeth.com.
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