Dark chocolate is often associated with strong passion and romance. It has become a staple during Valentine's Day and other amorous occasions. What many fail to realize is that the sugary cocoa's metaphorical value pales in comparison to its many health benefits.
More Cocoa Means Better Rest
Firstly, dark chocolate has been shown to improve sleep quality. In a recently-published study in London, researchers at Edinburgh and Cambridge Universities found that dark chocolate is rich in magnesium. The essential macro-mineral ensures that body clocks are running crisply and on time, as per Daily Mail.
"Internal clocks are fundamental to all living things," explained Dr. Gerben van Ooijen of Edinburgh University. "It's now essential to find out how these fundamentally novel observations translate to whole tissue or organisms to make us better-equipped to influence them in complex organisms for future medical and agricultural purposes.'
Dr. John O'Neill of Cambridge University added that while the medical significance of magnesium has been in the limelight for years, its role in regulating people's body clocks has not been a very popular topic until now. He said, "The new discovery could lead to a whole range of benefits spanning human health to agricultural productivity."
Dark Chocolate Prevents Illnesses
Aside from improving sleep quality, the consumption of dark chocolate could also prevent certain types of cancer since it has been shown to boost the body's immune system. In a study published on the British Journal of Nutrition, scientists discovered that high cocoa intake increases the number of T-helper cells. These organisms are responsible for suppressing numerous infections which could lead to cancer.
Lastly, dark chocolate lessens the risk of heart attacks. Dark chocolate contains compounds that shield the body from low-density lipoprotein, aka the bad cholesterol. People who eat sufficient, but not excessive, amounts of dark chocolate have less cholesterol buildup in their arteries.
In a study posted on the official National Center for Biotechnology Information website, cocoa intake was shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death as much as 50 percent in elderly men. Another study posted on Sacred Chocolate revealed that people who eat chocolate twice or more times a week are 32 percent less likely to incur calcified plaque in their arteries.
