Health Benefits Of Chocolate

Chocolate is not only delicious, it has surprising health benefits, especially if the concentration of cocoa is 70 percent or higher.

While chocolate is more often associated with indulgence than nutrition, chocolate (a derivative of cocoa beans) contains plant nutrients called flavonoids that provide many health benefits. Flavonoids are naturally found in fruits, vegetables, tea, and red wine, and have been identified with having anti-viral, anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and antioxidant benefits.

Flavonoids are a plant-based antioxidant found in chocolate. The antioxidant properties of flavonoids are what stimulates health benefits from chocolate, such as helping with blood flow and decreasing cholesterol.  Cocoa contains two types of flavonoids, flavanols.