Why Dark Chocolate is Good for Women

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Dark chocolate is one of the 10 best food choices for women’s sexual health

Antioxidant-rich dark chocolate is truly a gift of the gods; since chocolate, in its most unfettered form, has natural stimulants that encourage blood flow, better energy levels and stamina.

In other words, there are an incredible number of benefits of this sweet treat for women’s health.

view the list of all 10 Best Foods for Women’s Sexual Health

The effects of theobromine in chocolate

You may have heard that chocolate has a caffeine-like stimulant that can give you a little energy boost. It’s true.

The stimulating effect comes from a compound found in chocolate called theobromine. Theobromine is an alkaloid found in the cacao plant. And cacao is the main ingredient in dark chocolate.

RELATED: What is Cacao?

The theobromine in chocolate is linked with many benefits to heart health and circulation. It is also scientifically proven to increase brain function as well as help with sound sleeping. But theobromine is also recognized as a natural stimulant, affecting the heart and nervous system in a similar manner to caffeine.

Why dark chocolate will support women’s sexual health

The antioxidants in dark chocolate give ladies a way to satisfy that sweet tooth while supporting heart health. Of course, the darker the chocolate, the greater the benefit.

You may have heard rumors that chocolate can improve your mood because it can cause a cascade of happy hormones. Although studies on chocolate and how it may or may not improve mood remain inconclusive, there are definite indications that something about chocolate improves mood.

Some experts believe that although chocolate is a complex food with a possible potential to alter brain activity, the real reason chocolate alters mood comes from the simple pleasure of eating this complex and delicious food.

Don’t think you’re going to get the heart-healthy benefits of dark chocolate by choosing milk chocolate. Unfortunately, the lower the percentage of cacao in your choice of chocolate, the less health benefits the chocolate contains. Milk chocolate is mostly dairy and sugar, neither of which is going to benefit your love life.

But if you really want to tap into the nutritional power of chocolate, try cacao nibs. With their slightly bitter yet still satisfyingly chocolatey flavor, they are potent little antioxidant carriers in a rich, chocolatey package.

If the bitter, unsweetened flavor of cacao is too much for your taste buds to handle, the good news is that dark chocolate is still considered a good source of these health benefits.

TO TRY: A spiced hot chocolate mix made with real, dark chocolate pieces and ancho chile powder

Why chocolate is good for your skin and your lady parts

And, since it is relatively low in sugars (including milk sugars), dark chocolate is proven to be less addictive than milk chocolate.

So not only may it be helpful in curbing cravings for sweets, this means it’s less likely than other chocolate products to spur skin problems.

And an additional benefit is that, as far as sweet treats go, it’s better for the ph balance of your reproductive system. In other words, it can be beneficial to vaginal health. So consider trading in your milk chocolate for the dark stuff and, for added sweetness and an extra antioxidant boost, combine it with fresh berries.

Learn more about the Aphrodisiac Powers of Dark Choco late

Some of our favorite dark chocolate recipes

Hand-Rolled Dark Chocolate Truffles
Chocolate Avocado Cake
Dark Chocolate Spa Bark
Black Bean Chocolate Brownies

10 Best Foods For Women
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This article was written in 2015 and updated in May 2020. Research by our Director of Nutrition, Delahna Flagg, PhD.

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Amy Reiley

An award-winning author of five aphrodisiac cookbooks with an MA in Gastronomy, Amy Reiley has spent the past 18 years studying the history and science behind aphrodisiac foods. She speaks on aphrodisiacs globally and has brought her knowledge of aphrodisiac foods to national television shows including The Today Show and CBS Early Show. Amy is also a freelance food, wine and health writer and wine competition judge. Her work has appeared in publications ranging from Variety to The Daily Meal. She is a former wine editor for Gayot.com and wine & spirits editor of Las Vegas magazine. Most importantly, Amy is a mother to 2 human children and 1 standard poodle.