If you've heard health articles rave about the benefits of dark chocolate, you might have assumed it was just wishful thinking. After all, you don't often hear "healthy" and "chocolate" in the same sentence. But is there truth to those articles? Are there any potential health benefits to dark chocolate consumption?

Let's consult the chocolate experts to uncover the bittersweet truth about dark chocolate products and how they affect human health. If you're a chocolate lover, you'll want to stick around—you just might be surprised about the potential benefits of chocolate!

What Is Considered Dark Chocolate?

But at what point does milk become dark? Before we dive into the nutritional benefits of dark chocolate, let's take a look at what qualifies as dark chocolate. Whether chocolate is considered milk or dark depends on the percentage of cocoa solids it contains. Milk chocolate contains less than 50% actual cacao, while dark chocolate products contain higher percentages of cacao solids (between 50 and 90 percent). Dark chocolate with lower amounts of cacao (50–70%) is sweeter, while chocolate with higher amounts (70–85% cacao) contains less refined sugar. Thanks to this lower sugar content, dark chocolate just might be part of a balanced diet.

Is Dark Chocolate Healthy?

When we talk about chocolate being healthy, we aren't saying you should eat dark chocolate bars like carrots. But it just so happens that the concentration of cacao beans in darker chocolates can have some health benefits. As with all things, chocolate intake should be moderated. Other types of chocolate (like milk or white chocolate) have high amounts of sugar and lower cocoa content, making them much less healthy than their darker counterpart.

Six Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate

It might surprise you to learn that dark chocolate is more than just a tasty treat. The cocoa compounds in this chocolate can benefit your overall health in unexpected ways—from protecting you against sun damage to reducing the potential for type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance (according to Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health).

Here are five more ways that dark chocolate can improve your overall health:

1. Powerful Source of Antioxidants

While blueberries might have the corner on the antioxidant market, chocolate is another source of these powerhouse nutrients. Darker chocolate has powerful antioxidant effects thanks to its high polyphenol and flavanol content. Antioxidants help neutralize unstable molecules that could cause cell damage. These antioxidant properties can help mitigate risk factors that lead to poor heart health conditions.

2. Enhances Your Mood

Everyone knows that a little sweet treat can give you an afternoon pick-me-up, but did you know there's scientific backing to that mood boost? At least where dark chocolate is concerned (white and milk chocolate are a different story). Those same beneficial antioxidant-rich flavanols and polyphenols also help decrease stress levels, leaving you happier and healthier.

3. May Support the Gut Microbiome

You know what they say: your gut has a mind of its own. That’s why what you eat, including chocolate, can impact your mood. A recent study shows that 70-85% dark chocolate supports your emotional health by affecting your microbiome. Not only does this chocolate have anti-inflammatory effects, but it also has prebiotic properties that help to diversify the gut microbiome, leading to better gut and emotional health.

5. May Reduce the Risk of Heart Disease

Looking for a heart-healthy treat? Look no further than dark chocolate! That's right—this rich chocolate can help relax blood vessels, allowing blood to flow more easily to the heart. This can help mitigate the risk of heart disease. Obviously, there are many other steps to prevent cardiovascular disease, but including a bit of dark chocolate as part of a balanced diet might just help your heart and your mood!

6. May Improve Brain Function

On top of its amazing heart, mood, and gut benefits, dark chocolate can also improve cognitive function. The polyphenols found in this chocolate can increase blood flow in the brain, helping increase cognitive performance. So next time you’re caught sneaking a bit of chocolate on your diet, just claim it’s necessary for your brain health!

Guilty Pleasure No More!

Thanks to the natural cocoa found in dark chocolate, your relationship with chocolate is about to change! From brain health to cardiovascular health to mental health, dark chocolate in moderate amounts has many incredible benefits. 

So next time you're looking for a treat that fits into your diet, try a square of dark chocolate! Better yet, head to Mrs. Cavanaugh's Chocolates to try their diverse selection of dark, milk, and white chocolates. Satisfy your chocolate cravings and develop a healthy relationship with your favorite sweet with a piece of dark, rich chocolate from Mrs. Cavanaugh's today!