What could be more deliciously decadent than eating a bar of dark chocolate? Some people turn to the comfort of chocolate when they’re experiencing high levels of stress. According to a new study, there may be good reason to reach for a bar of chocolate when the going gets tough. New research shows that one of the benefits of eating dark chocolate may be relief from anxiety and tension. This is good news for stressed out chocolate lovers everywhere!

The Benefits of Eating Dark Chocolate: A Study

Researchers recruited thirty volunteers to eat dark chocolate for a period of fourteen days. The lucky volunteers consumed a total of 1.4 ounces of dark chocolate daily throughout the study – half in the morning and half in the afternoon. These particular volunteers were chosen because they were under high levels of stress – the equivalent of being “stressed out”. During the study, the volunteers had their blood and urine checked and measured for levels of stress related hormones. The results? Levels of stress hormones had dropped significantly by the end of the two week period after the volunteers ate a dark chocolate bar daily.

Other Benefits of Eating Dark Chocolate

This adds to the growing lists of benefits of eating dark chocolate. Previous studies show that the antioxidants found in chocolate, particularly ones known as epicatechins, have heart healthy benefits. These epicatechins help to prevent the oxidation of LDL cholesterol – a process that leads to plaque formation in the coronary arteries which is a forerunner to heart disease. The components in dark chocolate also help to relax blood vessels leading to a drop in blood pressure. It even helps people who already have heart disease since it’s been shown to lower the risk of death in those who have survived a heart attack. There’s growing evidence that dark chocolate is as good for the heart as it is for soothing the mind.

The Benefits of Eating Dark Chocolate – A Caveat

One concern about eating chocolate to lower stress levels is the risk of weight gain. A bar of Hershey’s Special Dark Chocolate has 180 calories – not an overwhelming number – but the calories need to be considered if you’re watching your weight. The good news is it only requires the equivalent of a single 1.4 ounce dark chocolate bar each day to lower stress levels and dark chocolate is surprisingly filling and satisfying.

What about the caffeine in dark chocolate? Couldn’t that increase anxiety and potentially raise stress levels? Fortunately, a single dark chocolate bar only has around thirty milligrams of caffeine which most people can handle unless they’re exquisitely caffeine sensitive. Apparently, some other component in dark chocolate offsets the activating effects of the caffeine.

Eating Dark Chocolate for Stress: The Bottom Line

If you eat dark chocolate to lower stress levels, make sure it’s pure dark chocolate since milk chocolate won’t have the same effect. Isn’t it nice to know there’s such a tasty way to lower stress levels? Enjoy the health benefits of dark chocolate!