Updated on August 26, 2024.
Chocolate has gradually acquired a reputation as a healthy treat. And though it may seem too good to be true, research does show that dark chocolate is rich not only in flavor but in the same protective antioxidants found in apples, grapes, and green tea. Antioxidants are substances that help to safeguard your cells from damage and manage inflammation.
So, can you substitute a chocolate bar for a salad? Nope. But a growing body of evidence suggests dark chocolate may be more than just a delicious dessert.
A treat from trees
Many people don't think of chocolate as a plant-based food. But it’s made from the seeds of the Theobroma cacao tree. These seeds, also known as cocoa beans, are rich in flavonoids. Flavonoids are thought to help protect against inflammation and diseases, including those of the heart and blood vessels.
Once harvested, cocoa beans are left to ferment before being dried, roasted, and processed into the chocolate products we know and love.
But not all chocolate is created equal. Processing destroys many of the natural flavonoids present in cocoa beans, and chocolate products that have been alkalized have been almost entirely depleted of their natural goodness. Then, to increase chocolate’s appeal for consumers, the cocoa is often mixed with sugar, fats, and artificial flavors, further reducing its nutritional value.
It's really only cocoa itself or dark chocolate, high in cocoa content and consumed in moderate amounts, that seem to be of benefit. Not white chocolate or milk chocolate, both of which tend to be high in sugar and saturated fat.
Potential health benefits
So, what is it that dark chocolate has to offer? Some research suggests that eating small amounts as part of an overall healthy diet may help protect your health—especially your heart. Here’s how.
Better endothelial function. The endothelium is a layer of cells that lines all your blood vessels. When it’s damaged, it can seriously affect blood flow to the rest of your body.
Several small-scale studies have shown that dark chocolate may improve endothelial function. This helps to keep arteries wide open and blood flowing well.
Reduced blood pressure. Blood pressure is the force of your blood pushing against your blood vessel walls. When it’s too high, it increases your risk for many serious health problems, including heart attack and stroke.
Some studies suggest that eating dark chocolate is linked to lower blood pressure. In fact, one 2024 study in the journal Scientific Reports found it was tied to lower essential hypertension, which is high blood pressure that has no identifiable cause.
Improved cholesterol. Evidence suggests that regular consumption of small amounts of dark chocolate may increase "good" HDL cholesterol while decreasing "bad" LDL cholesterol.
And adding a little something might help. High in protein, fiber, and healthy fats, regularly eating nuts is widely known to benefit your heart. In fact, one small 2017 study published in Journal of the American Heart Association found that eating dark chocolate and almonds together was linked to lower LDL levels.
Boosted cognitive function. Your cognitive skills are processes performed by your brain. They include things like learning, memory, and attention. Multiple studies have linked eating dark chocolate or cocoa to improved cognition in young adults, at least for a short period. The reason? It could be the work of flavanols, or because of improved blood flow to the brain.
Some experts think that eating dark chocolate may protect against brain disorders like dementia in the long term, but there’s no hard evidence that’s true. Many more studies are needed to prove a link.
Lower risk of some chronic diseases. Some studies suggest that eating dark chocolate may reduce your chances of developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease, partly because of its effects on blood flow.
Chocolate's dark side
Before you ditch your bowl of fruit for a big plate of brownies, do a quick reality check. A small portion of dark chocolate several times a week can be included as part of a healthy diet. But if you don't already eat chocolate, there's no meaningful health reason to start now. There are a few reasons for this:
- Chocolate not only is loaded with calories but has far fewer health-boosting vitamins and minerals than fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Just as eating moderate amounts of chocolate may boost your health, eating too much can raise your risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic illnesses.
- It contains caffeine, something that should be minimized in some people's diets. For example, if you have trouble sleeping you may want to avoid eating chocolate in the evening or near bedtime.
The final verdict?
Research on the potential health benefits of chocolate reveals promising short-term results. That said, results from larger long-term trials are needed before we can truly decide the impact of dark chocolate consumption on health.
For now, your best bet for a healthy heart is to eat a balanced diet with lots of veggies and fruit, exercise regularly, and keep stress levels under control. If you’re going to consume chocolate, opt for small portions of dark chocolate.
Alternately, you can eat dark chocolate with fruit or nuts, both of which have nutritional benefits. Or, you can include it in a recipe with health perks, like:
