Researchers are finally discovering what I've long suspected to be true: the fountain of youth is filled with dark chocolate!
By now you've probably heard how dark chocolate containing at least 70% of cocoa can help in the fight against heart disease and diabetes, but did you know that the dark stuff can also help give you gorgeous, glowy skin and hair? True story.
Readmore ¿Qué más?: 5 chocolate desserts that will lower your blood pressure!
It used to be that chocolate was blamed for everything from weight gain to acne, but now we're finding out that darker versions of the delicious treat may actually–gasp–help stomp both of those annoying problems into the ground. What a relief!
So go ahead and break out that stash of dark chocolate you know you have hidden in your desk drawer, and start clicking away to reveal the top 10 beauty benefits of dark chocolate.
PS: Something tells me #10 will make you especially happy.
Image via Corbis
Weight loss
Because dark chocolate is much richer and more filling than its lighter counterparts, it can help curb cravings for other sweet or salty treats, many of which have far more calories and way fewer health benefits than the dark stuff.
Increases sex drive
We all know eating chocolate is euphoric, but now we have the science to prove it. A 2007 study found that letting chocolate melt in your mouth can raise your heart rate and get you more hot and bothered than kissing. And really, what’s sexier than a woman with flushed cheeks and a roaring libido? Nada, that’s what!
Softer skin
Dark chocolate contains a ton of vitamins and minerals, such as iron, calcium, and vitamins, A, B1, C, D, as well as skin-loving vitamin E!
Reduces hair loss
The copper, zinc and iron found in dark chocolate help increase oxygen and blood flow to the scalp, which in turn promotes cell renewal and leads to healthier, shinier, more voluminous hair.
Boosts hair's luster
To get all the hair benefits of dark chocolate without having to consume any of the calories, try this DIY chocolate hair mask courtesy of Hair Boutique. It promises to make your hair look, feel, and smell good.
Detoxifies
Slough off dry, rough skin patches with a reinvigorating, nutrient packed body scrub made from dark chocolate powder, olive oil, brown sugar, and coffee grounds.
Clears your complexion
Back in the day, dermatologists used to advise their patients to avoid chocolate to prevent acne, but those days are long gone. We now know that dark chocolate can actually help prevent the inflammation that leads to acne. So go ahead and eat up.
Stress reliever
Dark chocolate helps reduce stress hormones, which in turn means fewer worry lines and less collagen breakdown, according to YouBeauty.
Shields against harmful sun rays
The flavonolds found in dark chocolate have been clinically proven to help protect skin from sunburn, redness and other UV damage, such as wrinkles! According to research published on the National Institute of Health site, people who consumed a bar of dark chocolate a day over the course of three months are better protected from the sun’s harmful rays than those who abstained from the dark stuff.
Makes you feel amazeballs!
And finally, chocolate makes you feel good! When consumed, the yummy treat causes your brain to produce feel-good chemicals known as endorphins which in turn make you feel happier and more content. And let's face it, you look good when you feel good.
