Research indicates that dark chocolate with 50-70% cacao helps ease stress, improve gut health, and enhance blood flow – effects which could indirectly strengthen the immune system.
Dark chocolate contains phytonutrients or polyphenols known as flavonoids that may help in disease prevention.
Cocoa powder contains up to 50mg of polyphenols per gram and one serving can provide more phenolic antioxidants than most foods and beverages, including black tea, red wine, and cranberry juice. Cocoa contains three main flavonols: catechins (catechin, epicatechin and epicatechin) as well as procyanidins which provide most of its antioxidant benefits.
Cocoa is an abundant source of potassium, magnesium, fiber and arginine – an amino acid known to aid in blood vessel dilation.
Flavonoids have been linked with potential roles in cancer prevention, heart health improvement and weight loss.
Prior research suggests that dark chocolate may have a beneficial impact on gut microbiota and help stabilize blood pressure levels.
Inflammation is a natural reaction of your immune system’s response to an irritation. Unfortunately, chronic inflammation can have serious adverse consequences and researchers explain that oxidative stress may play a part in creating this phenomenon.
Studies reveal that inflammation has been identified as an integral component to many chronic disorders and diseases, including cardiovascular disorders, autoimmune diseases, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), cancer, diabetes, obesity eye disorders and arthritis.
Dark chocolate may help improve immunity due to its antioxidants’ anti-inflammatory benefits and polyphenols’ ability to inhibit oxidative-stress-activated molecular signaling pathways. According to research, dark chocolate consumption improves immune function due to its abundance of flavonols – known for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties – which help support its effectiveness.
Immunity relies heavily on blood flow, with dark chocolate increasing endothelial function to increase it further. Antioxidants provide additional support as they protect cells while the immune system fights infections and diseases.
Antioxidants are vital in combatting inflammation and oxidative stress, both of which contribute to impaired immunity. Though there’s no direct evidence linking dark chocolate with COVID, flu or cold protection, there may be an indirect connection between dark chocolate consumption and enhanced immunity.
Studies have revealed that dark chocolate may help in reducing inflammation responses to stressful stimuli and cocoa was found to significantly improve chronic sleep disorders caused by psychophysiological stress by preventing circadian rhythm disruption in mice.
Two additional studies conducted to investigate the correlation between dark chocolate and immunity assessed how dark chocolate with a 70% cacao content and 30% organic cane sugar could impact stress levels, immunity levels, inflammation levels, memory and mood in study participants. As cacao concentration increased so did its beneficial impact on immunity, mood memory and cognition.
Chocolate is an excellent source of fiber, an essential element for maintaining the health of our gut microbiome and maintaining balanced immunity responses. Studies indicate that having an intact gut can have a profoundly positive impact on human immunity.
