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Choc it up

Why chocolate could actually be good for your skin

by Caroline Brien

It’s an established old wives’ tale that for some, breakouts could be down to a penchant for chocolate. And while feasting on a big bar will undoubtedly contribute to the inflammation that feeds spots thanks to the sugar content, there is an upside to indulging in the odd square of high quality dark chocolate.

Cocoa contains flavonoids, which have antioxidant qualities that help protect the skin against damage from the UV rays and pollution that speed up skin ageing. Scientists in London discovered that eating 20g of dark chocolate – or half a small bar – with a high percentage of cocoa solids every day for 12 weeks meant adults were able to take double the amount of UVB rays before their skin reddened, compared with those who ate ordinary, milkier chocolate. German researchers also found that the flavonoids in dark chocolate increases blood flow to the skin to feed it with the oxygen needed for self-protection. It certainly won’t offer the kind of defence a sunscreen or antioxidant moisturiser will, but it’s a good reason to get a regular dark chocolate hit.

by Caroline Brien
Award-winning Beauty & Lifestyle Editor. Long time yoga lover. Life time film fan. Some time wander-luster.

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