However, many chocoholics display addictive behaviors, such as secretly consuming chocolate, bingeing and trying to avoid it only to end up overeating. For those who experience these behaviors, the addiction is very real. Whether or not chocolate is addictive, research suggests chocolate may be good for you. Recent studies show that chocolate is packed with antioxidants known as polyphenols that may protect against heart disease and cancer. Antioxidants absorb free radicals in the body.
Free radicals can damage cells, leading to disease.
People who eat antioxidant-rich diets have lower rates of cancer and cardiovascular disease. While antioxidants have always been thought to come from traditional healthy foods like fruits and vegetables, red wine, black tea and chocolate were recently identified as good antioxidant sources. Pure chocolate comes from cocoa beans, the seeds of a fruit grown on Theobroma cacao trees, found predominantly in South America. Chocolate in its most processed form is loaded with extra oils and sugars. The more fat in the chocolate, the weaker the antioxidants.