Chocolate has long been a favorite treat, and for good reason. The cocoa in chocolate is a natural source of flavonoids, which are antioxidants that can help reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. It’s also packed with magnesium, a mineral that helps regulate blood pressure and relaxes muscles. And dark chocolate is full of polyphenols, which can lower your risk of cancer and even keep your bones denser as you age so they’re less likely to break. Dark chocolate also contains flavonoids, which are thought to lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease.
Add dark chocolate to you diet
Trying to eat healthily? Incorporating dark chocolate into your routine can help you make progress toward your weight-loss goals.
Treating yourself to chocolate in moderation can be part of a healthy diet. But it’s important to keep portion size in mind. If you’re eating chocolate with a meal, aim for about an ounce, or about one square of dark chocolate — the higher the percentage of cocoa, the better. If you’re eating it on its own, stick to about 1/4 square per day.
Before you begin adding chocolate to your diet, however, make sure you read the label carefully to ensure that you’re selecting a healthier option. Look for dark chocolate that features cocoa that contains no more than 60 percent cocoa solids. This will ensure that it has a lower amount of saturated fat than milk chocolate and white chocolate.
Chocolate can be incorporated into a healthy diet by adding it to recipes or eating it alone. You can add chopped up dark chocolate chips to oatmeal or sprinkle a small amount on top of low-fat yogurt or cottage cheese. If you prefer savory foods, you might try substituting a small piece of dark chocolate for an unhealthy ingredient
