Dr Berg writes:
Let’s talk about the health benefits of cacao and dark chocolate!
Cacao is the raw bean that’s fermented and processed into chocolate, and it’s loaded with phytonutrients.
Potential health benefits of dark chocolate and cacao include:
- Decreased blood pressure
- Decreased risk of heart disease
- Decreased cortisol and adrenaline
- Decreased risk of certain cancers
- Decreased risk of strokes
- Better mood and increased serotonin
- Increased physical performance
I consume a little bit of dark chocolate on a regular basis, but I always make sure that it’s organic and doesn’t contain sugar.
Example 1
Jeanne Louise Calment (1875–1997), the French supercentenarian who lived to 122 years and 164 days is the longest verified human lifespan on record. She was born in Arles, Provence, and became a global celebrity for her longevity while maintaining an active, fun-loving lifestyle until the end.
Multiple reliable sources (including her Wikipedia entry, Guinness World Records profiles, interviews, and biographical books) confirm she ate nearly 1 kg (about 2.2 pounds) of chocolate per week in her later years, often as part of daily desserts after meals. She also drank a small glass of port wine after meals, smoked cigarettes (until age 117), and used olive oil on her food and skin. She lived independently until age 110, then moved to a nursing home but stayed mentally sharp.
She followed a Mediterranean-style diet with plenty of seasonal fruit and vegetables (e.g., daily fruit salads made from bananas and oranges, plus other produce in small portions). She also ate fish, some meat, and healthy fats. One source even notes she disliked boiled fish but overall followed a balanced, not-vegan-avoiding routine.
Example 2
Sarah Knauss (1880–1997), an American supercentenarian, was the world’s oldest verified person for nearly two years after Calment’s death. She hated vegetables, preferred desserts (including chocolate) and ate a small amount of chocolate daily, while still enjoying chicken, potatoes, and carrots. She lived to 117 and attributed her longevity to staying busy, working hard, and not worrying about her age.
