Eat Chocolate! But not just any kind of chocolate. The darker the better- dark chocolate (at least 72% cocoa) contains more flavanols than its sweeter counterpart – milk. The low-down: cocoa beans contain flavonoids which reduce cell damage, lower blood pressure, and improve vascular function all for a better functioning cardiovascular system. But don’t trade in your kale for a Hershey bar quite yet- most research is still preliminary. The take home message here– get your sugar fix with a little decadent dark chocolate, and maybe, just maybe, you’ll get some nutritious perks out of it.
– Find dark chocolate anywhere from your mainstream brands at your major grocery store chains to your local chocolatier
– Chocolate transforms any savory dish into a decadent delight – add it to your chili, create a sauce to serve with turkey, or shave a little on your red meat dishes
– However you indulge, be mindful of your portions – a little goes a long way!
