As teenagers, we're often told that eating chocolate is bad for our skin. "You'll get pimples," moms have told their children. But, it looks as though chocolate is GOOD for us! Read on to find out why.
Chocolate may help you to live longer due to the antioxidants in the chocolate. A British study showed that eating the candy one to three times a month can lower your mortality rate, and heart attack survivors who ate chocolate were less likely to die than those who went without. It can also lower blood pressure. Stick to dark chocolate for the best results.
Eating chocolate makes you feel better. The candy contains phenethylamine, which triggers the release of endorphins. Endorphins (endogenous morphine) is what gives us the feeling of well-being, and also gives us the same feeling as falling in love. Chocolate's blend of sugar and caffeine prolongs the "high."
Have you ever wondered why you crave chocolate when you're stressed? That's because chocolate contains the compound anandamide, which activates the same receptors in your brain as marijuana. Eating chocolate helps you relaaaaax.
Got a big math test coming up? Try eating chocolate before your test. Chocolate is filled with flavonols, which has antioxidant-like properties. A 2009 study showed that drinking hot chocolate helped participants do math calculations more quickly and accurately and they were less likely to feel tired or mentally drained.
Don't overdo it on the chocolate, however. You only need an ounce of the candy to reap the benefits.
Maybe Professor Lupin was on to something by giving Harry Potter the chocolate after dealing with the Dementors!
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