6 Beauty & Health Benefits of Chocolate

1. You’ll have great skin!

We used to think that eating chocolate caused bad skin. Now, chocolate body raps and facials are offered in many spas. Why? Here are just a few of the reasons that chocolate is good for your skin:

• It is rich in antioxidants, which means that it can help keep your skin firm and smooth as you age.
• It nourishes and softens dry skin.
• Flavanols (found especially in dark chocolate) help your skin protect itself from UV damage.

MORE: Chocolate Honey Facial Scrub

2. It’s good for your heart

Several studies have concluded that eating chocolate has cardiovascular benefits. It cuts the risk of heart attacks and strokes, and can also help to lower blood pressure. Just don’t forget to skip your workout — you need it to balance the extra sugar, butter and milk that you will be consuming.

3. Enjoy smooth, rejuvenated hair

Believe it or not, cacao — the pure form of cocoa — is also great for your hair! Cacao adds shine and rebuilds the hair’s structure.

Cocoa butter can be used as a hot oil treatment to condition your hair. There are also many products that contain cacao — check out Carol’s Daughter Chocolat Smoothing Conditioner or Miss Jessie’s Curly Buttercreme for starters.

MORE: Cocoa Butter & Chocolate Benefits for Hair

4. Chocolate reduces stress

Substitute a bar of dark chocolate for that Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream. Swiss scientists discovered that when anxious people ate chocolate, their stress hormone levels were reduced.

5. It’s fuel for your brain

On a time crunch? Taking an exam? The flavanols in chocolate (particularly dark chocolate) increase blood flow to the brain, which will help you concentrate on the task at hand.

MORE: Superfoods for Beauty

6. Eat chocolate and get happy!

Best of all, chocolate simply makes you happy. And if you eat chocolate high in cacao (in moderation), you will remain healthy and happy for a long time!

Happy Valentines Day, curly girls!