Chocolate is loved by people of all ages, nationalities and and sexes. But what you may not know is that chocolate, (especially the dark kind) has a positive impact on the health of your body and helps you to be fit without much hassle. Of course, this is only if you don’t overdo it. Here's how chocolate helps:

1. Reduces the Risk of Stroke

Research in Sweden has indicated that eating 45 grams of dark chocolate can reduce the risk of stroke by 20%. Chocolate contains antioxidants that are responsible for reducing this risk. 

2. Improves Mental Function
Research in the UK had shown that 90 minutes after eating chocolate, the mental function of the study’s respondents had improved.

3. It Helps in Building Muscle Mass
Indiana University conducted research that proved that chocolate with strenuous exercise helps to reduce pain and contributes to better stamina. For this study they used milk chocolate!

4. Eradicates Bad Moods

After just two weeks of consumption of 42 g of dark chocolate a day, the stress hormones of respondents were significantly reduced. It has been proven to help with anxiety.

5. Raises Good Cholesterol
After a month of daily consumption of dark chocolate, it significantly improves the ratio of good-to-bad cholesterol in the blood.

6. Weight Loss
This may surprise you, but chocolate helps with weight loss. Dark chocolate speeds up the metabolism and makes your body more sensitive to insulin.

Of course, if you consume large amounts of chocolate you will gain weight, but limited, controlled amounts have the opposite effect. 

7. Extends Lifetime
The second oldest living person in the world, Jeanne Calment, who has lived 122 years old, stated that one of the reasons for her longevity was consuming of chocolate and that her weekly intake was 1.1 kg of chocolate. Chocolate improves your immunity to certain diseases, making you less sick increasing the chance that you will live longer. 

By Tijana Milojevic