There are certain parts of a healthcare bloggers working life which always appeal.  In particular it is when we can write a blog to explain why doing something we all love is healthy.  I am planning a rather extensive blog on French red wine to prove the point.  Granted the benefit  is not just for our “heart” when we have a glass of Burgundy.

Today is one of those happy occasions because, as most small children can tell you, this week is “Chocolate Awareness Week”.  For some (my daughter for example) perhaps the most important week in the calendar!

So it gives me great pleasure to share with you (on this medical blog) a brief rundown of the health benefits of eating chocolate.  Yes (and before I’m rushed off my feet in the comments box) I know that chocolate should be consumed in moderation.  Even so here goes:-

a)      Makes you feel better.  Chocolate contains serontin which helps elevate your mood.

b)      Fighting fatigue.  It has been suggested that athletes who eat drank chocolate might perform better than those who use sports drinks.

c)       Anti-oxidants.  It seems that chocolate is a great source of anti-oxidants.  For more information of these health boosting chemical please check out our blog https://patienttalk.org/?p=252

d)      Eye sight.  Yes that’s right!  Some tests show that chocolate may have the same effect as carrots.

e)      Memory .  Eating a bar of chocolate can make you feel better (see above) but it may also  help your memory.

Some scientists suggest that there are quite a few other benefits of chocolate but that is for another post.

I should mention that these benefits refer to eating dark chocolate as oppose to milk or white chocolate.  The darker the better in fact.  This is good news for me as I prefer it that way.

Oh and finally yes the picture is of my daughter consuming chocolate after her first outing as a bridesmaid (in Australia)!