White raspberry truffle, orange crème and the dreaded coconut – these are common choices when opening up that box of chocolates on Valentine’s Day. But before you choose which to eat first, you should know that there are significant health benefits to consuming dark chocolate. Recent studies show that choosing dark chocolate not only can improve your mood but can reduce your chance of heart-related illnesses as well.

 
Dark chocolates have been shown to:

1. Reduce blood pressure.

2. Lower cholesterol.

3. Act as an antidepressant.

4. Stimulate the brain.
 

How does it work?

Dark chocolate, considered any chocolate with 65 percent or higher cocoa content, is an abundant source of antioxidants. These antioxidants are known to neutralize free radicals, an unstable oxygen molecule in your body that can cause damage to healthy cells.

Sweet Tips:

• Eat in moderation. Just because chocolate has healthy benefits does not mean it should become its own food group. It is still high in fat and calories.

• Limit white and milk chocolate as they do not carry the same benefits as dark chocolate.

• Avoid drinking milk when enjoying your dark chocolate. Some studies show it will prevent the body from absorbing the antioxidants.

• Avoid fillings such as nougats, caramel, and creme; they add to the calorie count and can negate the health benefits.