Chocolate Therapy: 5 Benefits of Chocolate You May Find Hard to Believe

Easter, who doesn’t love Easter? Whether you celebrate or not, Easter holidays mean two things; time off work and of course, lots, and lots, of Chocolate! Who couldn’t love a holiday that involves chocolate? Though unbeknown to most, chocolate goes hand in hand with beauty. It’s good for the mind, body and soul. And if you want to know why, or need any form of justification for your absurd chocolate habit, by all means read on…

Chocolate helps by battling one of beauty’s gravest enemies: Stress. The cocoa in choccie helps to reduce the stress hormone cortisol, meaning less collagen breakdown, thus maintaining elasticity. In English this essentially means one thing; fewer wrinkles. Of course the higher the cocoa percentage the better the benefits, so stick to the dark side ladies! If you didn’t already have enough reasons to scoff some chocolate, here we list some benefits to keep your chocolate habit well in check.

1) Skin

The skin is the largest organ in the body and it is our right to keep it in tip top shape. Long story short, dark chocolate helps to keep your skin happy: VERY happy. Potent in antioxidants, they protect the skin from free radical damage, keeping it soft and well nourished. Consumption has even been shown to protect against harmful UV rays from the sun. Mixed with caffeine, dark chocolate is also an excellent detoxifier helping to exfoliate and replenish the skin. Why not try a chocolate caffeine face mask (and try not to lick it all off while you’re at it)?

2) Hair

Dark chocolate is widely popular in hair care products as it promotes blood circulation to the scalp, leading to intensified growth of beautiful locks. This is a circulation-booster like no other that has also been found to be effective in reducing hair loss (ladies with thin hair this one’s for you!)

3) Health

Packed with compelling antioxidants such as flavonoids, cocoa helps to reduce the risk of strokes and in avoiding cardiovascular disorders. Chocolate reduces LDL (bad cholesterol), effectively; it helps to de-clog your arteries. It is also rich in minerals such as copper and magnesium which are both vital to maintaining normal blood pressure

4) Mood

You all know that feeling after a stressful day at work. You come home and it’s time to put your feet up. Glass of wine in one hand, and some yummy dark chocolate in the other. Just one bite and life is complete. This is no trick; the chocolate really does make you feel better. This is because chocolate is packed with endorphins which almost immediately alleviate mood.

5) Vision

It has been scientifically shown that cocoa can enhance vision as well as brain function (who knew!?). This is because cocoa increases blood flow to the brain and retina in the eyes, keeping your vision and mind in tip top shape.

Dark chocolate has numerous benefits and what more could any chocolate lover ask for? If you are used to the taste of milk chocolate it can be a difficult transition to the dark side, but once the switch is made, it is easy to fall in love with chocolate all over again. It’s good for your health and good for the soul. What more could you ask for?

Beautiful Online wishes you all a very happy Easter filled with family love and of course, lots and lots of chocolate eggs!