For the Love of Chocolate and Healthy Skin

November 6, 2007

Can it be true? Chocolate benefits the skin? That’s crazy talk… or is it?

Let me start by saying that I am a self-proclaimed chocoholic. I never have denied the fact, and I never will. I love chocolate. Every time I pop a piece of chocolate into my mouth, I know what the consequences are to my health. But until now, I never really knew the effect it would have on my skin - positive effect that is.

German scientists recently conducted a study which discovered that high levels of flavanol, a plant-based antioxidant found in cocoa, can help to reduce skin redness caused by UV light-exposure, if consumed daily. This conclusion is based upon two groups of women varying in age between 18 and 65 who were simultaneously given one cocoa drink everyday. One group was given high level flavanol cocoa, while the other group consumed a cocoa drink very low in flavanols. By six weeks, the group consuming flavanol-rich cocoa had reduced redness of their skin in response to UV-light by 15% and then 25% by 12 weeks. The other group consuming the low level flavanol cocoa experienced no change. The group of women drinking the cocoa high in flavanols also experienced enhanced moisture, texture and hydration of their skin. Again, the other group had no change. Scientists believe that these exceptional results are due to the improved blood circulation to the skin, which is essential to it’s health. In addition to protecting the skin from UV-light exposure, flavanols act as antioxidants, which defend the skin against free radicals and premature aging.

So does this mean you get to gobble down a big Snickers Bar everyday and throw out your sunblock? Sorry, the answer is a definite NO. First off, you must never omit your sunblock from your skincare regime. And secondly, since flavanols are found in cocoa, your skin will only benefit from chocolate that is as pure as possible . If you consume about three ounces of dark chocolate a day, (which is equivalent to the amount of flavanol in the cocoa from the German study), you can satisfy your sweet tooth everyday, while helping your skin stay healthy. How great is that? I don’t think it gets any better.