Chocolate For Health...Really

Although I'm not a big chocolate eater, I do like to get my chocolate on every now and again. OH am I happy that I engage in this little indulgence! Believe it or not chocolate, more notably the dark variety, is actually good for you. You see, chocolate is made from cocoa and cocoa is a great flavonoid source. Just what is a flavonoid? Well, a flavonoid is an antioxidant (molecules that slow down oxidation/oxidative stress which can cause dangerous reactions in the body's cell structure). Antioxidants aside, chocolate contains essential vitamins (A, B1, C, D and E), Magnesium, Iron and Potassium. It's also an aphrodisiac and is known to lift depression, since it releases endorphins and raises serotonin levels. All you ladies who crave chocolate just before your cycles start, go ahead and "break off a piece of that Kit Kat bar". Especially because the high levels of magnesium in chocolate raise the progesterone levels that drop right before your monthlies start aka "The PMS Days".

When looking for the most health beneficial chocolate, look for plain chocolate that's made from at least 70% cocoa solids (the darker the chocolate, the more cocoa solids). Trust me, amongst other things, your heart, blood pressure and blood sugar will thank you.