1. Dark Chocolate Is Basically a Multivitamin

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

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

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

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

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

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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