10 Surprising Health Benefits of Hot Chocolate (Slideshow)
While you may have heard that milk can is bad for your skin, causing pimples (which it can, but only for those with a sensitivity to dairy) you should also be aware that milk is fortified with Vitamin D and that it's packed with Vitamin A, which is great for skin. Chocolate -- another ingredient commonly considered poor for skin care -- actually contains tons of flavonoids, which this 2006 study found to be beneficial for skin in multiple ways.
A study performed in Italy has found that chocolate may excite insulin activity, thus reducing the risk of diabetes. In conjunction with this, a study performed in Boston discovered that an increase in calcium intake may, over the course of time, decrease the risk of type 2 diabetes. Calcium and chocolate? Sounds like delicious hot chocolate to the rescue!
Improve Your Math Scores
A UK-based study found that a big cup of hot chocolate can help produce better math skills.
Excess stomach fat can be reduced by dairy, and dark chocolate can slow down the digestive process, creating a feeling of fullness. Together? A cup of hot cocoa can be a fat-busting snack.