Oh, thank Heaven for curious scientists. Today brings the newswomen everywhere have been waiting for!
A long-term medical research project concludes that dark chocolate has many benefits to the human body, more than previously thought.
Okay, great, what are the benefits?
Lee S. Berk, DrPH, associate dean of research affairs, School of Allied Health Professions and a researcher in psychoneuroimmunology and food science from Loma Linda University, served as principal investigator on both studies.
“For years, we have looked at the influence of dark chocolate on neurological functions from the standpoint of sugar content — the more sugar, the happier we are,” Berk said. “This is the first time that we have looked at the impact of large amounts of cacao in doses as small as a regular-sized chocolate bar in humans over short or long periods of time, and are encouraged by the findings. These studies show us that the higher the concentration of cacao, the more positive the impact on cognition, memory, mood, immunity and other beneficial effects.”
The flavonoids found in cacao are extremely potent antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents, with known mechanisms beneficial for brain and cardiovascular health.
Ahh, so previous studies weren’t wrong, they just didn’t really look at the whole picture – and they were including the additives in the product. Take out the milk, sugar and other additives, and dark chocolate can look surprisingly like a drug there are so many good things about it.
Naturally, this study is just the beginning. Researchers want to know what cacao does to humans at the cellular level and all that jazz. The concentrations also need to be tested.
Men should rejoice. Women finally have scientifically proven reasons to indulge.