Sunscreen’s replacement – chocolate

Wouldn’t the world make so much more sense if there were more chocolate in it? It seems researchers have found another way for us to work chocolate into our daily lives, without feeling guilty.

It turns out chocolate doesn’t just provide comfort on a rough day – a new study reports that it also helps protect against UV rays. Better yet, this isn’t a matter of slathering chocolate fondue all over your body.
The Journal of Nutrition reports that the superfood contains antioxidants epicatechin and catechin that shield skin from the sun – only when you eat it. Women who consumed 326 milligrams of high-flavanol cocoa per day for 12 weeks had decreased sensitivity to UV light versus the participants who ingested just 27 milligrams per day.

Another bonus for chocolate lovers? The study also showed that the women who ate more chocolate had smoother, more hydrated skin. (A note of caution: The study doesn’t claim that chocolate will provide adequate UV protection all on its own, so for now we’ll be slathering on our broad-spectrum SPF while we stuff our face with the sweet stuff.)

Originally written by Renee Trilivas, this article appeared in Allure.