Chocolate can be a decadent, delicious treat, and a piece of pie or cake made with it is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. But you don’t need to feel guilty about indulging in this sweet since it comes with an array of health benefits.

5 Healthy Reasons to Eat Chocolate

1. Mood Booster

Cocoa polyphenols and flavanols seem to have beneficial effects on mood. People who indulge in chocolate often feel happier, which helps stave off depression, anxiety, and other mental troubles.

Flavanols also boost endorphins, which are feel-good hormones released in the brain that are often associated with exercise, massage, and meditation.

2. Brain Benefits

Flavanols have been connected to improved cognitive function, which makes chocolate good for brain health and memory. Scientists are also looking into how lavado, a cocoa extract, may be beneficial in preventing damage to nerve pathways associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

3. Heart Health

Chocolate may help keep your veins and arteries in top shape. Flavonoids help keep these circulatory system components flexible and resilient, which means a lower risk of heart attacks and strokes.

4. Better Blood Pressure

When your arteries are in top condition, your blood pressure is also better. Chocolate helps produce nitric oxide, which opens up blood vessels.

Pregnant women, in particular, can benefit from this healthy aspect of chocolate. During pregnancy, complications like preeclampsia are a common result of unsafe blood pressure. Theobromine, another chemical in chocolate, can help reduce the risk of preeclampsia.

5. Cholesterol Control

Many researchers have linked chocolate and LDL cholesterol, or the “bad” kind. Studies have found that dark chocolate and cocoa may lower LDL levels when combined with a balanced diet.

When you crave a chocolate treat, head to Ted’s Bakery in Haleiwa, HI. The family-owned restaurant and bakery makes delectable pies in flavors like chocolate haupia cream, chocolate macadamia nut cream, and chocolate cream. In addition to sweets, they also offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner, featuring tasty dishes like omelets, burgers, and sandwiches. To order a pie, call (808) 638-8207, and view their menu on their website.