Secret: Flavonoids in Chocolate Help Protect Your Skin from Sun Damage

Do you know that the chocolate you enjoy eating may perform more than just pleasing your taste buds?  It may well be good for your skin as well, in so far as protecting it against sun damage! All this is possible thanks to a particular component in chocolate called flavonoids. These excellent antioxidants also benefit the skin and the entire body in many ways. Read through this article to the end to find out how chocolate can become your skin’s savior.

What Are Flavonoids?

 Flavonoids are naturally occurring molecules in plants, including fruits, vegetables, and chocolate. They have been found to possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. These compounds serve as a shield for plants against environmental stress, and when we consume them, they offer similar protection to our bodies.

This is because flavonoids have the following benefits:

• Reduce inflammation in the body
• Improve blood circulation
• Boost heart health
• Protect skin from harmful UV rays

How Chocolate Protects Your Skin

When you eat chocolate, especially dark chocolate, your body absorbs flavonoids. These flavonoids then work to protect your skin from within. They help to increase hydration, improve skin texture and, most importantly, defend against the harmful effects of the sun’s UV rays.

How It Works:

1. Absorbs UV Rays: Flavonoids form a protective barrier in the skin cells.
2. Fights Free Radicals: They act to neutralize harmful molecules that cause aging.
3. Boosts Skin Elasticity: Intake of flavonoids on a regular basis improves skin texture and reduces wrinkles.

Which Chocolate is Best?

Dark chocolate that comes with a minimum 70% ingredient of cocoa happens to be best. This variation contains the largest dose of flavonoids, while other types of chocolate, like milk and white, feature quite less. Therefore, some very useful tips might be: make certain at least 70% cocoa; avoid chocolates loaded with too much sugar; and always go organic where possible.

How Much Chocolate Is Too Much?

Moderation is the key! Too much chocolate will add unwanted calories and sugar intake. According to experts, about 1-2 ounces or 30-60 grams of dark chocolate each day can be enjoyed without overindulging to enjoy the skin benefits.

Healthy Ways to Eat Chocolate:

• Adding dark chocolate into smoothies
• Sprinkle chocolate shavings over yogurt
• Enjoy a small piece as an after-dinner treat

Other Skin Benefits of Chocolate

Besides sun protection, chocolate confers a plethora of other benefits to the skin, including skin hydration, improved blood flow, and a decrease in stress levels. Thus, it reduces signs of dryness and leads to a healthy appearance.

Flavonoids and a Healthy Lifestyle

But while chocolate is great, it should be one part of a diet with fruits, vegetables, nuts, and other foods that may be rich in flavonoids. Replacing inactivity and diuretic effects by drinking enough water, putting on sunscreen, and a good skincare routine will further enhance the benefits brought on by flavonoids.

Healthy Lifestyle Tips:

• Drink plenty of water.
•  Eat a rainbow of foods.
•  Regular exercise boosts circulation.

About chocolate and skin, there contain myth which require a deeper analysis: 

For example, some people argue that it causes acne or weight gain, however these arguments require a deeper analysis. 

Let us investigate a few of these misconceptions: 

• For this reason:  
• Nutrition: Acne and obesity can be caused by stress and poor diet; chocolate does not exacerbate these issues.  
• So, they say: The problem isn’t chocolate – it is the lack of moderation.  
• Only dark chocolate can reduce the skin’s appeal and give its nutrition.  

This makes sense because it is known that dark chocolate is ideal for combating sun induced skin damage and helps in maintaining skin radiance. While following this method, ensure that you choose and never exceed 3 moderate servings of dark chocolate. 

Thus, chocolate is guilting free pleasure and enhance both beauty and mood.

Instead, think that chocolate is not just a treat but also something that makes you more beautiful!