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This story is sponsored by Fav Chocolate. Learn more about Fav Chocolate.
When you think of supplements, you may think of tasteless pills you have to choke down with water, while not even being sure if they actually do anything to help your health.
Luckily, that doesn’t have to be the case. As you research supplements to boost your diet and improve your health, consider ones that are both proven to work and taste delicious. The following supplements are not only appetizing, they offer health benefits you can count on.
Peppermint
Whether you use mint leaves or essential oils, peppermint helps manage several ailments.
“Peppermint is used as a dietary supplement for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), other digestive problems, the common cold, headaches, and other conditions,” according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. “Peppermint oil is also used topically (applied to the skin) for headache, muscle aches, itching, and other problems.”
In fact, several studies have shown that peppermint oil capsules could improve IBS symptoms, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Chocolate
You read that right: Chocolate is an excellent health supplement. This is not your average cheap bar of chocolate from the grocery store, though. Only chocolate specifically designed to offer a health boost will give you the benefits you need.
For example, the right chocolate can support brain health, cell protection and heart health, as cocoa beans are high in polyphenol and flavonoid antioxidants
“Cocoa beans themselves have been shown to be one of the greatest suppliers of polyphenols in our diets,” according to Fāv Chocolate. “These antioxidants remain in cocoa butter even after it’s separated from the beans’ solids. That means it’s beneficial for improving the immune response, lowering inflammation and improving heart health.”
Omega-3
There’s nothing fishy about this supplement, especially if you want to add something yummy to the food you eat. If certain types of fish make it to the dinner table a couple times a week, they may help prevent one of the No. 1 killers in the country.
“Fish intake has been associated with decreased risk of heart disease,” according to the American Heart Association. “On the basis of available data, the American Heart Association recommends that patients without documented heart disease eat a variety of fish – preferably omega-3-containing fish – at least twice a week. Examples of these types of fish include salmon, herring and trout.”
Grapeseed extract
You may have used grapeseed oil to help you cook healthy, and now you can use the extract to help you improve your overall health. It was developed in the 1970s but has been around a lot longer.
“Since ancient Greece people have used grapes, grape leaves, and sap for health purposes,” according to the National Institutes of Health.
Grape seed extract can reduce inflammation, promote wound healing and help with venous insufficiency – when veins have problems sending blood from the legs back to the heart.
Honey
Honey may be one of the sweetest types of supplements available, but not just any honey will do.
“High-quality honey contains many important antioxidants,” according to Healthline. “These include organic acids and phenolic compounds like flavonoids. … Antioxidants have been linked to reduced risk of heart attacks, strokes and some types of cancer. They may also promote eye health.”
As with any supplement, you can ask your doctor for advice about what will work with other medications you use. Some supplements, such as the healthy – and yummy – chocolate from Fāv Chocolate may be better for you and offer more benefits than others.