Cocoa has many benefits to the body including the skin.  A chemical from cocoa protects skin from the damaging effects of sun exposure and prevents the skin from aging.

For optimum health benefits and enjoyment, choose extra dark chocolate—at least 70 to 85% cocoa content.  Also choose non-Dutched cocoa, as the process of alkalinization or “Dutching” cocoa significantly reduces the amount of flavanols in cocoa.  By weight, cocoa has more antioxidants than blueberries, green tea or red wine.  Chocolate and cocoa protect the cardiovascular system, significantly reducing the incidence of atherosclerosis.  Chocolate is also similar to the blueberry in that it affords protection to our brain.  As we know, substances that are neuroprotective are also therapeutic to the skin in what I call the brain-beauty connection.

Do you incorporate chocolate into your diet to improve your skin?