3 Reasons to Eat Chocolate-Today!

Dark chocolate's good for us, this much we get. But with research studies coming out left and right about just why the delectable dark stuff's healthy, things have gotten a bit confusing. Not to mention some of us may have gone a little overboard with adding this new "healthy food" to our diet. Here, we look at the top three reasons to add dark chocolate to your diet, as well as the healthy way to do so in moderation.

1) Love those Antioxidants! Dark chocolate is chock-full of natural antioxidants which are known to contribute to improved cardiovascular health, including enhanced blood flow, improved cholesterol levels and reduced blood pressure. Although green tea, blueberries and red wine are commonly thought of as some of the best sources for antioxidants, dark chocolate actually has more antioxidants than any of these options.

2) Avoid a sugar high. You won't be bouncing off the walls with dark chocolate because unlike many sweet candy treats it has a low glycemic index, which means that it won't send your blood sugar soaring sky high.

3) Chocolate is better than... Dark chocolate creates an intense buzz that is said to be better than the thrill of a passionate kiss! In a two-part test, a 2007 study monitored the heart rate and brain activity of couples in their twenties. In the first test each individual melted a piece of dark chocolate in their mouth, while in the second test the couples shared a passionate kiss. Researchers found that the dark chocolate not only caused a more intense and longer lasting buzz than kissing, but also doubled volunteers' heart rates! This may be due in part to phenylethylamine, a natural stimulant found in chocolate that is said to trigger feelings similar to the act of falling in love.

But How Much? With all of this good news you may be itching to add a little more chocolate to your diet. Christina Baudis, a registered dietitian in Boston, cautions that, although chocolate has been linked to health benefits, "Like anything in life, too much of a good thing is simply not a good thing." Her recommendation? "Depending on how active you are, dietary guidelines allow for 100-300 discretionary calories per day. The average dark chocolate bar typically has about 200 calories, so instead of consuming an entire bar in one sitting, try to have one or two squares to satisfy your sweet tooth", says Baudis.

For more information on chocolate, including health benefits, research studies and recipes, visit www.allchocolate.com.

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