Chocolate, this glorious confection few can resist, has been for so long considered bad for the body. The medical world used to frown on the chocolate habit a lot of people have while those keeping a strict watch on their figures have to resist its temptation. But no longer! Today, the doctors and nutritionists are continually finding more good things to say about chocolates and have given their approval to the brown temptation.

Good for the heart. It has been recently discovered that eating dark chocolate, which is high in cocoa solids, could lower blood pressure. Cocoa and dark chocolate have been found to be mega-rich with antioxidants, especially flavonoids. Nope, white chocolate, which only contains cocoa butter, does not have this antioxidant. It's been found that flavonoids improve blood circulation and reduce blood pressure. It has the same effect to what you have heard, a glass of red wine after dinner.

Lowers cholesterol. Now, this is welcome news for dieters and confirmed chocoholics. Chocolate, especially the type rich in cocoa liquor (like the dark and semisweet kind), is rich in flavonoids that stop the bad cholesterol (LDL) from oxidizing, that is, becoming more dangerous. It stops your arteries from becoming inflamed and lowers the chances of your having a heart attack. It is even said to be better at preventing LDL oxidation than green tea. Not only that, it promotes good cholesterol as well. Another good thing is that despite cocoa being fatty, it does not increase the cholesterol levels in your blood, and in fact, it helps protect the heart by making blood thinner.

Prevents diabetes. Here is another good thing about flavonoids, which all high quality dark chocolate bars have aplenty; it enables your body to accept insulin more easily thus increasing insulin levels in your body. It also makes your body sensitive to insulin. Insulin helps break down sugar in the blood and then store it in your liver and muscles. With the body efficiently processing sugar with the help of insulin, the risk of acquiring diabetes is significantly lower. So go eat a dark chocolate bar to improve your insulin level.

Mental alertness. Okay, this is still tentative but recent studies suggest that chocolate may improve memory and your ability to concentrate, to react and to solve problems. Now wouldn't it be neat if this is proven without a doubt? Life would be sweeter with chocolate as a recommended dessert for school lunch.

Prevents cancer and smoothens skin. Again because of flavonoids, chocolate like other flavonoid-rich food are believed to prevent cancer. Certain research has shown that the antioxidant contains anticarcinogenic mechanism though more research is required to prove it beyond doubt. However, German studies have showed that flavonoids is really good for the skin, leaving its smoother, moist and soft. Ah, more reasons to indulge in your chocolate craze!

Lots of antioxidants. Besides flavonoids, chocolate is rich with the love hormone, phenethylamine; theobromine, which helps uplift your mood and feel good; and tryptophan, which helps you have a good night sleep. And when you eat chocolate, it releases the feel-good hormone endorphin, which makes you feel happy.

Now chocoholics have more reasons to indulge in their precious vice but always, always in moderation!