Eating Chocolate May Improve Your Circulation

For years, you might have been told that consuming chocolate is unhealthy and can lead to health complications later on in your life.

Recently, numerous studies have found that consuming a moderate dose of dark chocolate isn't harmful at all. In fact, it's actually healthy for you.

A study conducted by the American Heart Association found that consuming dark chocolate improved circulation levels in patients with Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), which causes some blockage in lower extremities, like your ankles or calves.

In the study, 20 patients (14 males and six females) with PAD were randomly given 40 grams of dark chocolate (greater than 85 percent cocoa) or 40 grams of milk chocolate (less than or equivalent to 35 percent cocoa).

Researchers found that those patients who were given the dark chocolate had enhanced circulation, lower levels of oxidative stress, higher levels of antioxidants, and higher levels of nitric oxide in their blood (the chemical that your body produces to help your cells communicate with each other throughout your body).

This doesn't mean you should be binge-eating chocolate throughout your day. It's important to know that if you want to begin eating chocolate in moderation, it has to be dark chocolate and at least 70 percent cocoa.

What else do you need to know about consuming dark chocolate and circulation?

Dr. Mike discusses the study, which was published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, how dark chocolate in moderation can improve your circulation and healthy ways to incorporate dark chocolate into your diet.