3. Dark Chocolate
Treat yourself you a few squares of dark chocolate every night. This candy is delicious, and it’s good for your health. Dark chocolate with more than a 90% cacao content contains little to no sugars and its high in antioxidants known as flavanols and catechins. These polyphenols help to reduce systemic inflammation in the digestive system by reducing the expansion of the intestinal wall.
Some studies show that dark chocolate has a higher antioxidant and polyphenol profile than blueberries. The flavanols in dark chocolate also help to enhance circulation, while providing a protective effect for the heart and lungs.
The polyphenols in dark chocolate also help to decrease the body’s insulin resistance. Dark chocolate can help to improve the way your body processes blood sugar, helping people with conditions like prediabetes.
Eating a few squares of dark chocolate three or four times a week can help to reduce the production of LDL cholesterol (the bad type of cholesterol) while increasing the production of HDL cholesterol.