Discover the Powerful (and Tasty) Health Benefits of Organic Raw Cacao Powder

Are you a chocoholic? There’s no shortage of those around! If so, you probably rejoiced when you first read about the health benefits of dark chocolate. Dark chocolate is rich in heart-healthy antioxidants called flavanols.

When you munch on a piece of dark chocolate these flavanols help to open up your blood vessels and lower your blood pressure. Plus, the same heart-healthy compounds in dark chocolate help to reduce inflammation, another contributor to blood vessel damage and cardiovascular disease.

There’s more good news about chocolate. Did you know studies show dark chocolate has favorable effects on lipids? Based on the research, it appears that dark chocolate is good for the old ticker.

The active ingredients in dark chocolate may have other health benefits as well, although the evidence is less convincing than for heart disease. Some research shows dark chocolate improves insulin sensitivity. When insulin sensitivity it higher, it helps with blood sugar control and may lower the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Plus, chocolate appears to increase serotonin in the brain, a neurotransmitter that helps lift your mood and helps you sleep better.