Chocolate's good for your skin?

It's true!
Antioxidant compounds in cocoa, called flavanols, improve artery health by boosting blood flow, and that boost may be good for your skin, too. Researchers discovered this chocolate benefit in a study of women who consumed half a cup of cocoa (containing 329 milligrams of flavanols per serving, the amount in a 3-½ ounce serving of dark chocolate) daily for 12 weeks.At the end of the study, the women experienced less skin dryness, scaling, and roughness compared to the beginning of the study. Also, their skin was thicker, exhibited improved blood flow, and was even more resistant to sun damage. Pretty amazing. Still, don't toss your sunscreen and indulge in mass quantities of chocolate. Consume the sweet in moderation and apply sunscreen every day when you'll be outdoors for 20 minutes or more.

For more skin tips, take the RealAge Skin Care Assessment for personalized advice and recommendations. Originally published on 09/14/2006.

Chocolate, superfruits, omega-3 and wholegrains...– four of the trends in four of the trends in
packaged goods tipped by ProductScan Online to take the market by storm in.