This year, people around the globe will celebrate World Chocolate Day on 7 July 2025.
Humanity has been enjoying chocolate for the past five millennia. It used to be considered such a rare treat it was known as the “food of the gods” by the Olmecs, Mayans, and Aztecs.
Nowadays, chocolate is a popular guilty pleasure that comes in all shapes and sizes. However, the occasional indulgence might come with more benefits than you expect.
Read on to discover how chocolate could improve your mental and physical health, and 10 recipes to try this World Chocolate Day.
The health benefits of chocolate
Many of us turn to chocolate as a comfort food in times of stress, but we always have the niggling worry in the back of our minds that it is bad for us.
In reality, dark chocolate – chocolate with a cocoa percentage of seventy or more – has been proven to be good for your health.
In fact, dark chocolate can:
1. Improve your blood circulation
Dark chocolate might prevent two common causes of artery-clogging, by preventing white blood cells from sticking to the walls of blood vessels and restoring flexibility to your arteries. This could lower your risk of health issues such as a heart attack.
2. Reduce the risk of a stroke
Consuming cocoa may reduce your levels of “bad” cholesterol, which lowers your risk of cardiovascular disease.
Finnish researchers even found that chocolate consumption reduced the risk of their participants suffering a stroke by an average of 17%.
3. Help you lose weight and prevent diabetes
Despite it being high in calories, chocolate can help you lose weight. A small square of chocolate melted on your tongue 20 minutes before a meal triggers the hormones in your brain that tell you when you’re full, so reducing the amount you eat.
Eaten in moderation, chocolate can also improve your insulin sensitivity, which helps to delay or prevent the onset of diabetes.
4. Clear your skin
Chocolate contains flavanols, a natural compound that has antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties.
These flavanols are good for your skin and can even protect it from ultraviolet damage from the sun.
5. Boost your mood
Chocolate contains phenylethylamine – the same chemical your brain produces when you fall in love – giving you an instant mood boost with every bite.
There is also evidence to suggest that flavanols may help to reduce memory loss in older people.
10 chocolate recipes to indulge in
So, now that you have plenty of great excuses to add some chocolate to your diet, why not try one of these amazing recipes?
1. Chocolate fudge crinkle biscuits
These moreish chocolate fudge crinkle biscuits partner well with a cup of tea or coffee as an afternoon treat and are dairy-free.
This Mexican recipe originates in the Dominican Convent of Santa Rosa in Puebla and is a spicy blend of plantains, chicken, and dark chocolate.
If you want to celebrate World Chocolate Day with your family and friends, then this beginner-friendly recipe will help you bake a moist, decadent cake to show off to your loved ones.
This one-pot wonder is the ideal alternative for any vegetarians or vegans who are looking for a savoury chocolate recipe.
The chocolate brings out the richness of the tomatoes, kidney beans, and a splash of Worcestershire sauce in this delicious dish.
5. Chocolate and raspberry brownies
The raspberries in these gooey brownies smell so heavenly you might be tempted to eat them straight out of the pan.
Luckily, the recipe makes a tray of 16 for you to share with your loved ones… or hoard for yourself.
6. Pulled chicken tacos with chocolate mole sauce
Switch up your usual taco recipe with this chocolate addition. The subtle hints of the dark chocolate in this dish add a depth of flavour to an already mouthwatering meal, which will have your loved ones asking about the secret ingredient.
7. Cherry and chocolate mug cake
When you want to indulge in a cake but don’t have time to waste messing up your kitchen or waiting for it to cook, this microwave mug cake can come to your rescue.
The small batch of batter can easily be made with ingredients you already have, and the addition of tinned cherries gives you an extra taste of the Black Forest.
8. Beef chilli
If you want to take your normal chilli recipe up a notch, you will love the Hairy Bikers’ chocolatey version of the classic dish.
These delicious rocky road bars only have five ingredients, take 10 minutes to bake, and make 24 bars, so are the perfect treat for anyone with a busy schedule.
10. Linguine with gorgonzola, pecans, thyme, and chocolate
Chocolate and pasta sounds like an unlikely combination, but the chocolate provides the perfect balance to the creamy gorgonzola and magnifies the flavours of the other ingredients.
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