Is Dark Chocolate Actually Good For Your Health?

May Prevent Cancer

Due to its high antioxidant content, dark chocolate may prevent various types of cancer. It may also protect against skin cancer because there are compounds in cocoa that raise the skin's tolerance for UVB light exposure. UVB rays are radiation from the sun, and they can cause sunburn and other types of skin damage. Too much UVB exposure over time increases the risk of skin cancer. In addition to protecting the skin, dark chocolate may reduce the risk of other types of cancer by reducing damage to the DNA. DNA damage over the years is often what leads to cancer in older individuals.

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Reduces Risk Of Blood Clots

Dark chocolate reduces an individual's risk of blood clots when it is consumed daily. According to a study done by scientists at Johns Hopkins, cocoa can act as a blood thinner. The blood-thinning effects of dark chocolate may be comparable to the effects of acetylsalicylic acid, a medication commonly taken by adults to prevent strokes and heart attacks. In the Johns Hopkins study, the researchers divided participants into two groups: a group of individuals who ate dark chocolate daily and a control group that did not consume any chocolate. The researchers then took blood samples from each group and observed how long it took the participants' platelets to clot. The blood of the participants who ate chocolate daily clotted at a slower rate than the blood of the participants who followed a chocolate-free diet. Having platelets that clot more slowly is a good thing, as it indicates life-threatening blood clots inside the body are less likely to occur. It is thought the flavonoids in dark chocolate are responsible for this effect.

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