Chocolate is a guilty pleasure that's hard to deny. But while you might enjoy eating the treat, it also offers benefits for your skin as well.
Keep reading to learn more about how chocolate can work for you and your skin.
Skin benefits of dark chocolate
Dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants
Antioxidants are good for your health. Antioxidants help protect against cell damage, which is why they're often called "free radical fighters." Dark chocolate is a great source of antioxidants—in fact, research shows that eating dark chocolate helps in preventing heart disease and stroke.
Dark chocolate contains polyphenols like epicatechin and procyanidin B2 (PCB2), both of which have been shown to fight oxidative stress and inflammation when consumed regularly over time. These compounds also help improve blood pressure levels by lowering blood viscosity which makes it easier for oxygen-rich red blood cells to reach your organs so they can do their job properly!
Dark chocolate contains flavonoids
Dark chocolate contains flavonoids, which are a type of antioxidant that can help protect your skin from sun damage and other environmental aggressors. Flavonoids are found in tea, red wine, berries, and citrus fruits, but dark chocolate is one of the best sources because it's higher in these antioxidants than most other foods. Hence, dark chocolate serves as an added layer of protection against environmental damage to our skin is constantly exposed to.
The fatty acids in dark chocolate have anti-inflammatory properties
Chocolate contains a lot of fat, which means it may not be ideal for those looking to lose weight or keep their cholesterol levels under control. But this particular type has some benefits: it contains fatty acids that have anti-inflammatory properties and helps protect against heart disease by lowering the bad cholesterol while maintaining good ones.
Moreover, these anti-inflammatory properties may also help the skin heal faster from damage, making dark chocolate a great adjunct in fighting various skin issues.
Keep in mind that it's best to get your antioxidants from foods rather than supplements, but dark chocolate is a good way to get some extra antioxidants into your diet. If you want to try making your own chocolates at home but don't know where to start, check out this recipe for antioxidant-rich chocolates you can whip up on your own!
Conclusion
You can't go wrong with dark chocolate: it's delicious and it’s healthy! If you want to get the most out of your chocolate, make sure it's dark and has at least 70% cacao content. This will ensure that it has plenty of antioxidants and polyphenols which are great for your skin. You also want to look for fair trade or ethically sourced chocolate so that no child labor is involved in making them (and we all know how important that is!).
If you want to stay updated on the latest beauty trends and ways to live a sustainable life, come and join us in our #AllNaturalGlow campaign by subscribing here and by following us on Instagram. Remember that beauty shines from the within and a heart that cares for the environment is a heart that’s truly beautiful. ♡
Sources:
- https://www.heart.org/en/news/2019/02/12/are-there-health-benefits-from-chocolate/
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/13-anti-inflammatory-foods