Chocolate can appear ubiquitous when it comes to deserts and other foods, but in recent years it has also been shown to be beneficial to health. Of course, with that said, it should be consumed in moderation, and in such one can reap the advantages fully.

Chocolate may be healthy in the fact that it contains antioxidant flavonoids which come from the cacao plant, where chocolate originates. Other plants rich in such include grapes and grapefruit (clevelandclinic.com). Flavonoids are what give fruits and vegetables pigmentation. They work in the human body as antioxidants which can help protect cells from damage (whfoods.com).

Some of the outcomes from eating chocolate are decreased blood pressure and increased insulin sensitivity; researchers in Italy proved that giving dark chocolate to individuals for 15 days helped diminish insulin resistance, a risk factor in diabetes. Blood pressure was also lowered as a result (webmd.com).

The improvement of arterial blood flow and the reduction of chronic fatigue were also proven to be beneficial aspects of chocolate consumption. In reference to recent studies, healthy men who ate flavonol-rich cocoa had more relaxed blood vessels as a result, which is a significant element of cardiovascular health. Additionally, as illustrated by a study in England, individuals with chronic fatigue who were given 1 ½ ounces of dark chocolate everyday for eight weeks said that they were feeling better. No weight gain was found among the participants (webmd.com).

Furthermore, it can also help reduce memory decline, as well as the risk of heart disease and stroke. As for the former, studies have shown that hot chocolate allows better flowing of blood to the brain and as such, retaining memories may become easier. Research published in the British Medical Journal depicts that with chocolate consumption, the risk of heart disease was lowered by one third. Also, in a study involving 44,489 individuals, those who ate the abovementioned food were 22 percent less likely to have a stroke (medicalnewstoday.com).

There is a catch to all this though; different types of chocolate are healthier than others. Natural cocoa powder contains the most flavonoids, which are what makes such healthy. After that come unsweetened baking chocolate, dark chocolate and semisweet chocolate chips. Milk chocolate is the least healthful (webmd.com).

Chocolate can be healthy; it can do some wonders to the body, but like many features of life, only in moderation.