When talking about chocolate, many people will connect it with diabetes, obesity, dental caries and so on. It seems that chocolate only brings bad effects to human body. However, numerous scientific studies suggest that chocolate is actually a healthy and nutritious food. There are many benefits of chocolate. 

First, chocolate can strengthen the protection of teeth.
It is widely believed that the foods which contain fermentable carbohydrates play a potential role in the formation of dental caries. Although chocolate contains fermentable carbohydrates, however, the studies from many dental experts show that chocolate are not so easy to cause dental caries as people think. Studies have proved that, cocoa powder and chocolate can delay the mineralization process——an activity which will directly result in the formation of dental caries.

Second, chocolate can lower cholesterol.
As people become increasingly concerned about the maintenance of heart health, fat (especially saturated fat) has been listed as a substance which should be avoided. However, the latest research shows that not all saturated fats have the same effect.

The results show that despite the cocoa butter contains a high content of saturated fat, but it will not elevate the cholesterol level in the blood as other saturated fats. This is because the saturated fatty acid in chocolate contains a large amount of and palmitic acid. Stearic acid has a neutral effect on cholesterol. It will neither increase nor decrease the cholesterol; while palmitic acid may slightly reduce the cholesterol level. As a result, the saturated fatty acid in chocolate will not affect the cholesterol level in blood. 

Third, chocolate is beneficial to the health of the heart.
Scientific research shows that, substances which have effect may help maintain the health of the cardiovascular. One study found that, after the volunteers eat chocolate, the total antioxidant capacity of the blood has been increased. Therefore, this result shows that, as part of the healthy diet, eating chocolate can help maintain the cardiovascular health. The oleic acid and linolenic acid contained in chocolate are two effective antioxidant substances.

In addition, there are many research results which will give you a surprise. For example, eating chocolate candy occasionally can reduce the probability of alcoholism; drinking chocolate milk may be helpful to people who are allergic to lactose. What's more, you do not have to worry that chocolate may contain large quantities of caffeine. As long as you eat chocolate properly and moderately, it will not provide much intake of caffeine to your body. On the contrary, it will bring a lot of benefits to your health.