Dark chocolate has many health benefits, from its anti-inflammatory properties to its impact on your cholesterol and heart health. It\u2019s even been linked to the prevention of cancer, dementia, and mood disorders.\n<\/p>\n
But does the time you eat dark chocolate matter?<\/strong> Though research is still new, some researchers say it does.\n<\/p>\n Here\u2019s what nutrition experts have to say about when you should eat dark chocolate\u2014or skip ahead to the bottom line<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n Dark chocolate<\/a> is known to be good for your heart and brain health when consumed in moderation.<\/strong> It has anti-inflammatory properties and may even protect you against heart disease<\/a>, certain types of cancers, and brain-related conditions like Alzheimer\u2019s disease. It can even boost mood<\/strong>.\n<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a breakdown of dark chocolate\u2019s nutrient-boosting components:\n<\/p>\n There have been very few studies on the timing of dark chocolate. <\/strong>As long as you eat a balanced diet, there\u2019s nothing magical about the time of day you eat dark chocolate<\/strong>, Andrew Odegaard, MPH, PhD<\/a>, <\/strong>an associate professor of epidemiology and biostatistics with the UC Irvine Program in Public Health, told Health.\n<\/p>\n Ultimately, when you eat dark chocolate will come down to what works best for you and what you hope to accomplish.<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n Here are some guidelines on which time of day may be best for your needs.\n<\/p>\n In the Morning <\/p>\n If you want to boost your focus and mental energy<\/strong>, you may want to eat chocolate between\u00a010 a.m. and 11 a.m<\/strong>. Eating it earlier in the day could also provide that sweet satiation you may crave. Some research also suggests that eating it earlier in the day may reduce cravings<\/a> later.\n<\/p>\n In the Afternoon <\/p>\n\n