19. Dark Chocolate
Yes, you read that right – chocolate is good for your health! Dark chocolate is actually an excellent source of antioxidants. These antioxidants reduce inflammation in your body, keeping your heart and blood vessels clear and free of nasty blockages.
A study that was published in The Journal of American Heart Association concluded that consuming dark chocolate can reduce the level of ‘bad’ cholesterol in the body, therefore lowering risk factors for heart disease. A different study showed that dark chocolate lowers the risk of diabetes by reducing your body’s insulin resistance. And, scientists have proven that dark chocolate can promote healthy blood flow throughout the body by processing nitric oxide!
However, it goes without saying that not all chocolate is created equally. Chocolate only carries these health benefits if it’s dark and without a load of sugar or dairy. If you’re more of a milk chocolate person, you can eat slighter darker chocolate gradually until your taste adjusts. Soon, you won’t like that milk chocolate as much.
