New study shows why you might want to eat more chocolate – the dark kind

You’re feeling stressed behind your desk as you furiously type away at that important document.

Nothing can steal your attention from the important task handed to you by your boss.

Except for that chocolate bar. Somehow, you’re never too busy to break off a square every few minutes and have it melt in your mouth.

Why? Because you firmly believe it’s a mood booster in a stressful situation. 

And guess what? You’re absolutely correct. 

According to recent research done at Loma Linda University in California, chocolate has a positive effect on your stress levels. 

But there’s a catch – your beloved creamy dairy milk chocolate won’t do. You get the positive effects only from dark chocolate containing more than 70% cocoa. 

In fact, chomping down your favourite dark chocolate also has beneficial effects when it comes to inflammation, mood, memory and immunity, The Metro reports. 

“For years we’ve looked at the influence of dark chocolate on neurological functions from the standpoint of sugar content – the more sugar, the happier we are,” lead researcher Lee S Berk says. 

“This is the first time that we’ve looked at the impact of large amounts of cocoa in doses as small as a regular-sized chocolate bar in humans over short or long periods of time, and we’re encouraged by the findings. 

“These studies show us that the higher the concentration of cocoa, the more positive the impact on cognition, memory, mood, immunity and other beneficial effects.” 

But as Huffington Post points out, there are also cons to excessive chocolate consumption – such as tooth decay and weight gain. Which means moderation is key. 

Even so, the study’s findings present good news for all chocolate lovers. Someone pass us a (dark) chocolate bar, please?

Sources: Metro.co.uk, Huffingtonpost.co.za, Medicalnewstoday.com