Here is some good news for all chocolate lovers out there. Dark chocolate is actually good for you. It is very rich in antioxidants. Dark chocolate is rich in flavanols, which include procyanidins, epicatechins, and catechins. It is good for people with heart disease, blood pressure and other diseases.

Dark chocolate has several heart-healthy benefits. It provides lower oxidation levels of bad LDL cholesterol, higher blood antioxidant levels, and higher HDL concentrations of good cholesterol. It reduces blood clotting and stabilizes arterial plaque, making it less likely cause a stroke or heart attack.

It increases blood vessel flexibility and keeps blood pressure in control. Dark Chocolate actually lowers high blood pressure.

However, don’t replace healthy foods with chocolate. And don’t use chocolate as a substitute for fat-free fruits and veggies. It just doesn’t work that way.

But remember the darker your chocolate is , the better it is. Dark Chocolate has health benefits that are not seen in other varities of chocolate. Dark chocolate, not white chocolate or milk chocolate is good for you.

Adding chocolate to your diet will also add unwanted fat, calories, and sugar to your body . Just remember to balance the calories. If you add some chocolate to your diet, you need to subtract an equivalent amount of calories by cutting back on other foods to avoid weight gain. The benefits of dark chocolate are real, but like most other things, it works best in moderation.

Remember the word moderate as you nibble that delicious chocolate !