June is National Candy Month and while there are plenty of reasons to celebrate the delicious, sugary treats that we all know and love, did you know that there are quite a few health benefits to eating chocolate? (As if any of us need another reason to eat candy this month)
We’re all familiar with the quick sugar rush one get’s from consuming candy but what if you could use candy to boost your energy level for longer? Cacao, one of the main ingredients of chocolate, contains high levels of Theobromine. Theobromine is a stimulant much like caffeine or guarana. Eating a piece of chocolate (especially those containing a high percentage of cacao) is a great way to pick yourself up on when you’re feeling tired. Best part is that Cacao doesn’t make your heart race or increase your anxiety as caffeine tends to do.
In addition to boosting your energy levels, chocolate has also been shown to improve cognitive function. As well as Theobromine, chocolate contains small amounts of a compound called phenylethylamine, which helps stimulate your brain cells into releasing dopamine. Peppermint has been said to increase focus so next time you need a cognitive boost, look for a piece of candy that contains both!
Chocolate is incredible on it’s own but when you add the fact that it also increases serotonin levels (a neurotransmitter known to elevate mood and increase calmness) it becomes a fantastic way to brighten your mood. Though chocolate does affect the brain, it’s hard to say if the change in mood comes from the neurotransmitters or from the delicious piece of chocolate in your mouth.
The next claim is still being debated but there is some potential of it being true. Some research shows that people who eat chocolate five or more times a week were 60% less likely to have heart disease. Not only that, it’s thought that people who eat more chocolate have lower rates of heart attacks, heart failure, and even death from heart disease. In a recent Danish study, 55,000 men and women (whose health was monitored for 13 years) were asked how often they consumed chocolate. Those who had two to six servings of chocolate per week had a 20% lower rate of a heart disease known as atrial fibirllation. Take it with a grain of salt though, as many also claim that there are many health risks to consuming a large amount of chocolate.
For more news about candy, make sure to keep up with our blog posts. If you’re looking for some chocolate to buy now, don’t forget to visit the Quality Candy Store!