Some research results support the conclusion that eating chocolate may be healthy for your skin and may even protect it from ultraviolet (UV) damage from the sun. According to these data, this can decrease the probability that you will get sunburn.
In a London study, researchers gave chocolate to two groups for 12 weeks. One of those groups received a “high flavanol” chocolate, such as you might get with a high-cocoa dark chocolate. The second received a “low flavanol” chocolate, such as you might get with low-cocoa milk chocolate. After 12 weeks, they tested the skin of these participants with a challenge of UV light to see whether there was a change over time. Because one group had high-cocoa and the other did not, this allowed them to see if the cocoa played any role in the protection of the skin from erythema (sunburn).
Over the 12-week span, the skin of those who ate low-flavanol chocolate was no more or less protected from UV rays. However, those who ate the high-flavanols chocolate could receive double the amount of UV light on their skin before burning. In other words, after less than two weeks of eating high-flavanol chocolate, subjects’ skin was protected from burning even at twice the UV level.
One plausible explanation for this effect may be the fact that high-cocoa chocolate can increase blood circulation to the skin itself. Increased blood flow to the topmost layers of the skin (those within only one millimeter of the surface) has been shown in women who consume high-flavanol chocolate beverages. These added blood vessels can provide the healthy oxygenation your skin needs to help protect itself.
In a London study, researchers gave chocolate to two groups for 12 weeks. One of those groups received a “high flavanol” chocolate, such as you might get with a high-cocoa dark chocolate. The second received a “low flavanol” chocolate, such as you might get with low-cocoa milk chocolate. After 12 weeks, they tested the skin of these participants with a challenge of UV light to see whether there was a change over time. Because one group had high-cocoa and the other did not, this allowed them to see if the cocoa played any role in the protection of the skin from erythema (sunburn).
Over the 12-week span, the skin of those who ate low-flavanol chocolate was no more or less protected from UV rays. However, those who ate the high-flavanols chocolate could receive double the amount of UV light on their skin before burning. In other words, after less than two weeks of eating high-flavanol chocolate, subjects’ skin was protected from burning even at twice the UV level.
One plausible explanation for this effect may be the fact that high-cocoa chocolate can increase blood circulation to the skin itself. Increased blood flow to the topmost layers of the skin (those within only one millimeter of the surface) has been shown in women who consume high-flavanol chocolate beverages. These added blood vessels can provide the healthy oxygenation your skin needs to help protect itself.
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Eat Chocolate, Lose Weight: New Science Proves You Should Eat Chocolate Every DayBuy book
