Why is cocoa good for your skin

There is also a growing body of evidence that validates the use of cocoa-derived phytochemicals as an effective approach for skin protection.

One key reason to apply cocoa to the surface of the skin is to tackle UV damage done by the sun. How does this work? The resulting blood flow tends to reverse the aging effects of UV rays by promoting healing and renewal, making the skin more radiant and giving it a more youthful appearance.

Helping to mitigate wrinkles is only one benefit of cocoa. Topical application is also known to help reduce the appearance of scars, particularly the type of scars known as contracture scarring. Cocoa is packed full of minerals including calcium, copper, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and zinc. Cocoa is also is rich in omega 6 fatty acids which are known to assist skin healing at the cellular level - one of the ways it helps heal scars.

Many people are using a cocoa powder face mask to increase blood flow to the skin and deliver antioxidant power and numerous benefits toward skin health. The increased blood flow results in a healthier, more radiant complexion while helping to heal the damage caused by constant UV exposure.

Though many people derive benefits by ingesting cocoa powder, applying it topically using a face mask will bring faster and more impactful results. While the results of these early studies are promising, more research on the effect of cocoa on mood and depression is needed before more definite conclusions can be drawn. Summary Cocoa may exert some positive effects on mood and symptoms of depression by reducing stress levels and improving calmness, contentment and overall psychological well-being.

Though overconsumption of chocolate is certainly not good for blood sugar control, cocoa does, in fact, have some anti-diabetic effects. Test-tube studies indicate that cocoa flavanols can slow down carbohydrate digestion and absorption in the gut, improve insulin secretion, reduce inflammation and stimulate the uptake of sugar out of the blood into the muscle Some studies have shown that a higher intake of flavanols, including those from cocoa, can result in a lower risk of type 2 diabetes 22 , Additionally, a review of human studies showed that eating flavanol-rich dark chocolate or cocoa can can improve insulin sensitivity and blood sugar control and reduce inflammation in diabetic and nondiabetic people.

Despite these promising results, there are inconsistencies in the research with some studies finding only a limited effect, slightly worse control of diabetes or no effect at all 22 , 24 , Nevertheless, these results combined with the more concrete positive effects on heart health indicate cocoa polyphenols may have a positive impact on both preventing and controlling diabetes, though more research is required.

Summary Cocoa and dark chocolate may reduce your risk of diabetes and maintain healthy blood sugar levels. However, there are some conflicting results in the scientific evidence, so more research is needed. Somewhat paradoxically, cocoa intake, even in the form of chocolate, may help you control your weight. A population study found that people who consumed chocolate more frequently had a lower BMI than people who ate it less often, despite the former group also eating more calories and fat Additionally, a weight loss study using low-carbohydrate diets found that a group given 42 grams or about 1.

However, other studies have found that chocolate consumption increases weight. Yet, many of them did not differentiate between the type of chocolate consumed — white and milk chocolate do not have the same benefits as dark 30 , Overall, it appears that cocoa and cocoa-rich products may be helpful in achieving weight loss or maintaining weight, but further studies are needed. Summary Cocoa products are associated with a lower weight, and the addition of cocoa to your diet may help achieve faster weight loss.

However, more research is needed on this topic to determine exactly what type and how much cocoa is ideal. Flavanols in fruits, vegetables and other foods have attracted a great deal of interest due to their cancer-protective properties , low toxicity and few adverse side effects. Cocoa has the highest concentration of flavanols out of all foods per weight and can significantly contribute to their amount in your diet Test-tube studies on components of cocoa have found that they have antioxidant effects, protect cells against damage from reactive molecules, fight inflammation, inhibit cell growth, induce cancer cell death and help prevent the spread of cancer cells 32 , Animal studies using a cocoa-rich diet or cocoa extracts have seen positive results in reducing breast, pancreatic, prostate, liver and colon cancer, as well as leukemia Studies in humans have shown that flavanol-rich diets are associated with a decrease in cancer risk.

However, the evidence for cocoa specifically is conflicting, as some trials have found no benefit and some have even noticed an increased risk 34 , 35 , Small human studies on cocoa and cancer suggest that it can be a powerful antioxidant and may play a role in cancer prevention. However, much more research is needed Summary The flavanols in cocoa have been shown to have promising anti-cancer properties in test-tube and animal studies, but data from human trials is lacking.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease that causes obstruction and inflammation of the airways and can be life-threatening 38 , Theobromine is similar to caffeine and may help with persistent coughing. Cocoa powder contains about 1.

Theophylline helps your lungs dilate, your airways relax and decreases inflammation Animal studies have shown that cocoa extract can reduce both the constriction of the airways and tissue thickness Summary Cocoa extract has demonstrated some anti-asthmatic properties in animal studies.

However, human trials are needed before it can be recommended as a treatment. Several studies have explored the protective effects of cocoa against dental cavities and gum disease.

I enjoy my fair share of kale and quinoa, but my diet mainly includes whatever I can muster up from the dwindling contents of my fridge, though I always seem to have some dark chocolate lying around. Now I assumed, like many, that it was a guilty pleasure of mine to keep on the down-low. Not anymore! Chocolate is now good for you! According to many recent studies, the properties in raw cocoa, more specifically the antioxidants, have a flurry of positive effects on the body.

They protect the body from premature aging and help to reduce the likeliness of some illnesses. Cocoa helps prevent heart disease because it may lower bad cholesterol, raise good cholesterol, and stops blood clotting in the arteries, similar to the effects of aspirin. I always knew it did my heart well to eat chocolate. Like honey, there are benefits to using cocoa in wound healing.