Here’s something most of us have been waiting our whole lives to hear: chocolate can keep you young. Ok, so it’s not exactly a blanket statement, but there have been numerous studies linking cocoa products to anti-aging benefits as well as to a decrease in cardiovascular health risks. So, overall, the message is that it’s ok to consume chocolate – in fact, it may even be beneficial to your health.

Cocoa and all cocoa products, including chocolate, contain flavonoids, a natural protector against damage caused by oxidation processes. Flavonoids are found in several sources, including citrus, green tea, and cocoa. The antioxidant properties inherent in flavonoids help protect the skin from damage, preventing the breakdown of collagen and the formation of wrinkles or other signs of aging. Research has shown that cocoa is a more potent antioxidant than most other sources.

Unfortunately, there are limitations to the way in which we consume cocoa when looking for significant health and anti-aging benefits. That delicious milk chocolate and refreshing glass of chocolate milk do not provide a high enough concentration of cocoa to be very effective anti-aging remedies. Most studies show that it takes roughly a 70% concentration of cocoa to result in significant health benefits or to provide sufficient antioxidants to protect the skin against aging.

Raw cocoa is obviously more potent than any form of processed cocoa, but dark chocolate generally has a high enough concentration of cocoa to offer health and anti-aging benefits. White chocolate and milk chocolate have not performed anywhere near as well in clinical trials as their richer dark chocolate counterparts. Many chocolate companies out there are now creating dark chocolate varieties of classic chocolate products to offer more anti-aging and health benefits.

But research does show that elderly subjects who had consumed the most cocoa over the test period did have a lower mortality rate than those with a low cocoa intake. Despite these health benefits, chocolate has gotten a bad reputation as the guilty pleasure and a tempting junk food. The downside that earned chocolate this reputation is of course its high caloric and fat content. As with any food, moderation is key. Just remember when you are feeling guilty about eating that chocolate bar or double fudge layer cake that there are some heath and anti-aging benefits. The rule of thumb is: The darker, the better. Or at least the higher cocoa content, the better.

If you want your skin to stay young and fresh, take care of it from the inside and the outside. There are several anti-aging creams on the market that effectively nourish and protect your skin. Click here for more information.