Habitual chocolate eaters welcome a host of benefits for their hearts, including lower blood pressure, lower “bad” LDL cholesterol, and a lower risk of heart disease. One of the reasons dark chocolate is especially heart-healthy is its inflammation-fighting properties, which reduce cardiovascular risk. Chocolate contains a lot of saturated fat, but it is largely stearic acid, which doesn’t boost cholesterol levels. Even a daily ounce or so of milk chocolate doesn’t appear to harm cholesterol levels, although it does add fat and sugar to your diet! Researchers from San Diego State University conducted a small controlled study illustrating that eating dark chocolate has positive effects in lowering blood sugar levels and “bad” cholesterol levels and increasing “good” cholesterol levels – all of which could have positive effects on heart health.

Stephen Dalley, B.Ed., MA, Comox Valley HCG Holistic Weight Loss