Dark chocolate is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. As an antioxidant, it eats into free radicals or those destructive molecules that are associated with heart disease and other ailments. Dark chocolate has 8 times the number of antioxidants in strawberries. Bet you didn’t know that!

The delectable treat contains flavanols which are strong antioxidants that help maintain healthy blood flow and blood pressure. Cocoa beans contain 10,000 milligrams (10 grams) of flavanol antioxidants per 100 grams. This equates to a potent 10 percent antioxidant concentration level. Flavanols, found in pure dark chocolate, prevent fatty substances in the bloodstream from oxidizing and eventually clogging arteries. They are also known to help make blood platelets not clump and cause blood clots, heart attacks, and strokes.

The fats contained in cocoa butter are healthy fats. Cacao contains oleic acid, a heart-healthy monounsaturated fat that is also found in olive oil. This type of fat is known to raise the level of the “good cholesterol” known as HDL (High Density Lipid) cholesterol. Conversely, dark chocolate is also said to reduce LDL cholesterol (or the bad cholesterol) by up to 10 percent. Dark chocolate also contains stearic acid, a saturated fat but one that has a neutral effect on cholesterol.

Here are more paeans sung to dark chocolate:

• If you have high blood pressure, have a small bar of dark chocolate a day to help you reduce blood pressure.

• Aside from tasting good, dark chocolate also makes you feel good. It stimulates endorphin production and contains serotonin, both feel-good mood hormones that blow your blues away. It also contains theobromine and moderate caffeine which are stimulants.

• Studies have shown that small portions of dark chocolate can improve blood sugar and insulin sensitivity, especially in older adults, to help reduce the risk of diabetes.

• Dark chocolate contains a number of minerals, including calcium, magnesium, and potassium.

With paeans come caveats:

• To get the full health benefits of dark chocolate, still limit your intake to 1 ounce-3.5 ounces a day. It is still a high-calorie food.

• Look for dark chocolate that has 70% cocoa content or more.

• Don’t wash it down with milk. The proteins in milk bind with the antioxidants in chocolate. The antioxidants are not being absorbed to the same extent as they would be.

http://www.med.umich.edu/UMIM/clinical/pyramid/chocolate.htm

http://www.clevelandclinic.org/heartcenter/pub/guide/prevention/nutrition/chocolate.htm

http://longevity.about.com/od/lifelongnutrition/p/chocolate.htm

http://www.webmd.com/diet/guide/5-surprisingly-healthy-foods

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/3185363.stm