Chocoholics celebrate anytime a new study touts the health benefits of the sweet treat. (You mean chowing down on a candy bar can help my heart?) But there’s a reason doctors aren’t telling patients to go to the nearest store and pick up some Hershey’s Kisses. When it comes to your health, chocolate is a bit of a mixed bag: It’s packed with antioxidants, but many varieties also include a substantial amount of sugar. So we dove right into the chocolate fountain scientific research to outline the pros and cons of indulging your next craving.
The Sweet Spot
Most the health benefits of chocolate come from cacao, specifically the flavonoids in cacao. They’re responsible for chocolate’s distinct taste, and they protect your body from a number of diseases, including asthma, diabetes, and some types of cancer. Thanks to flavonoids, scientists have linked cacao consumption (and eating chocolate) to the following health benefits:
1. It can strengthen your heart.
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