With so much attention focused on super foods, you have to wonder what makes them so powerful. From blueberries to kale, how is it that dark chocolate seems to fit so comfortably into this mix? Recently, a study was conducted at Louisiana State University to uncover what it is exactly that makes dark chocolate so good for your heart – and I have to admit, I was pretty curious! Read on to learn a little more about what these researchers uncovered.
The Why Behind Dark Chocolate’s Health Benefits
- The study found two types of microbes in the gut: good & bad. The good microbes feast on chocolate.
- “When you eat dark chocolate, they grow and ferment it, producing compounds that are anti-inflammatory,” says Maria Moore, one of the study’s authors.
- According to the study leader, John Finley, “When these compounds are absorbed by the body, they lessen the inflammation of cardiovascular tissue, reducing the long-term risk of stroke.”
- The study also found a combination of dark chocolate and solid fruits like pomegranate and acai could mean even greater health benefits.
Have you made dark chocolate a staple of your diet?
