Chocolate is appreciated for a variety of reasons. Many of these reasons relate to the feel good chemicals contained in chocolate, such as tryptophan, tyrosine, theobromine and caffeine. However, the preferred chocolate is the dark type which has the highest concentration of cocoa, is high in antioxidants and is low in fat. 

Let's take a look at the benefits of eating a few pieces of chocolate:

Mood 

Eating a small bar of chocolate as well as sticking to a healthy diet has the potential to boost the mood. It is a combination of the chocolate's texture, smell and taste that helps to stimulate the brain and leave you feeling good. Additionally, chocolate is rich in the essential amino acid tryptophan, which can help to increase the amount of serotonin in the system. 

Heart - friendly 

Chocolate can help with heart health because it has an anti-inflammatory effect, the blood to minimize the risk of suffering a stroke, and can lower blood pressure. The main reason to benefit the heart is because of the flavonoid content. This chemical is useful in encouraging the production of nitric oxide, which relaxes and widens the blood vessels. 

Artery help 

A further benefit of the flavonoid content is the ability to stop the oxidizing of bad cholesterol (LDL). Over time, this cam lead to a build up of deposits on the artery wall, which is often referred to as occlusive disease. Also, the flavonoid content can include stearic acid, which is a unique type of saturated fat that can promote good cholesterol (HDL). 

Soothes cough 

The theobromine content in chocolate can have an influence on the vagus nerve and help to suppress the episodes of coughing. The vagus nerve has the role of transmitting messages between the brain and the central nervous system. 

Brain health 

A further type of chemical compound found in chocolate is epic, which is useful for its ability to protect the brain from the build up of amyloid plaques or sticky proteins. If they are left to develop over time, there is the risk of Alzheimer's disease developing. Additionally, this same chemical compound can be found in green tea

Avoids sunburn 

Women who were given chocolate with a high flavonoid content were able to withstand double the amount of UV light on their skins without burning, compared to those on lower doses. 

Reduces pregnancy complications 

One of the complications of pregnancy is known as preeclampsia, in which blood pressure can shoot up. One of the chemicals in dark chocolate, theobromine, can stimulate the heart and help the arteries dilate. When pregnant women were given higher doses of chocolate, they had a 40% less chance of developing this complication. 

• Improves memory as you get older 

•  Very nutritious 

•  It may help with diabetes

•  reduces fatigue 

many more...

Eating chocolate may have the following benefits: 

1. Lowering cholesterol levels 
2. Preventing cognitive decline 
3. reducing the risk of cardiovascular problems 

Overall, in order to benefit from the chocolate eaten, you want to look for the dark chocolate that has a high concentration of cocoa. Ideally, you want chocolate with 70 percent cocoa to achieve the most benefit. Also, the high cocoa means there is more flavonoid content to benefit the all-round health.