What to know

Chocolate Can Reduce Stress and Anxiety

dark chocolate helps reduce stress thanks to flavonoids found in cacao

Need a break? Grab a chocolate bar, because a new study suggests that it helps in lowering your stress levels.

It’s not like anyone ever questioned that chocolate makes you happy, but a new study from the US has concluded that it also reduces a person’s stress levels.

Researchers at Loma Linda University Adventist Health Sciences Center in Southern California found that while the sugar makes you happier, dark chocolate also has positive effects on your brain.

The findings were based on analysis from two previous studies, which proved that chocolate rich in cacao (more than 70%) reduces both stress and inflammation.

Also, it was found that dark chocolate drastically improves your mood, memory and immune system.

The amount of cacao found in the average chocolate bars contains a lot of flavonoids, potent antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents that promotes brain and cardiovascular wellbeing.

“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,” said Dr. Lee S. Berk, associate dean of research affairs at Loma Linda and lead researcher, in a press release.

“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.”

And it’s not like just one chocolate bar is enough, the more you have the better you feel.

If anything, this proves that chocolate truly is the greatest food on this planet. It has brought people closer and been there for us during our darkest hours. God bless chocolate.

You Might Also Like