Cocoa is great for skin because it is an anti-oxidant. What is an anti-oxidant? Anti-oxidants are molecules that help fight against free radical damage by “donating” an extra electron without becoming unstable themselves.
If we consume enough anti-oxidants, our body will reduce and neutralize free radicals or oxidants, which will eventually save our body cells. Antioxidants can be found in dark rich colored fruits and vegetables like red apples, red grapes, broccoli, spinach, blueberries etc. However, we shouldn’t overlook the power of cocoa to keep skin youthful.
Cornell University food scientists conducted a study that found that cocoa powder has nearly twice the antioxidants of red wine and up to three times the amount found in green tea. More research has demonstrated that the antioxidants in cocoa are highly stable and easily metabolized by the human body, which means they can be readily used by the body. Cocoa has a high concentration of anti-aging polyphenol antioxidants; therefore, it’s possible that incorporating dark chocolate into your diet might alleviate the signs of aging.