There is a lot of confusion surrounding whether chocolate is good for you or not. Whether your chocolate habits are healthy will depend on the type of chocolate, how much you consume, and when you consume it. Understand the effect that cacao has on your body for effective health and sleep management.

The Health Effects of Chocolate

The Good

Chocolate is full of flavonoids, such as catechin, procyanidins, and epicatechin. These flavonoids boost cardiovascular function by preventing blood clots, lowering unhealthy cholesterol, and limiting inflammation. They can also prevent or delay diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and some cancers.

The antioxidants in chocolate boost blood flow to the brain, which can help with slowing memory loss and improving your cognitive function.

The Bad

Many store-bought chocolates are highly processed and full of sugar and fat. The sugar is a highly addictive substance. Eating these types of chocolates, especially in high quantities, can have some detrimental health effects. The fat can cause your skin to break out by boosting oil production. The sugar and fat can also cause weight gain and tooth decay.

The Best Way to Enjoy It

Darker chocolates are healthier and contain more antioxidants and flavonoids. Look for a bar with at least 72% cocoa. Enjoying a single serving size—a square or two—to appease your sugar craving with some heart and brain benefits.

If you’re working on sleep management, remember that chocolate has caffeine in it. Eat it earlier in the day, so it has time to work out of your system before you want to sleep.

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