A little bit of chocolate can be good for you
People who have banned chocolate from their diet or count it as a guilty pleasure may want to think again after another study suggested it could be good for you.
Recent research carried out by the American Heart Association found that older women who consume a little good-quality dark chocolate once or twice a week could lower their risk of heart problems.
This follows a University of L'Aquila study dating back to 2005 which suggested that it could also improve the body's ability to break down sugars, potentially making it useful for diabetics.
So why is dark chocolate so saintly? It's all down to the fact that it has little or no milk added to it and is made of a minimum of 35 per cent cocoa solids.
This means that it is full of flavonoids and other ingredients which could act as antioxidants, as well as boosting your feel-good hormones.
Sian Porter, a spokeswoman for the British Dietetic Association said: "As long as dark chocolate is eaten in quite small amounts as part of a healthy balanced diet, and you're being active as well, then it could help with heart health."
She stressed that it must be dark chocolate, as milk and white are more fatty and sugary and so not as good for you.
However, the expert warned that this type of research is not an excuse to eat as much chocolate as you possibly can.
"We would caution that dark chocolate is not a magic bullet," she added.
Indeed, only 100g each day is the recommended amount for optimal heart health. And, if you're adding dark chocolate to your diet, then About Longevity suggests dropping some other treats to avoid weight gain, since this amount of chocolate will probably comprise about 200 calories.
Finally, to ensure you get the healthiest chocolate around, go for bars with the maximum amounts of cocoa solids, such as 85 per cent and above varieties.
You could also try adding the chocolate to other foods if you don't fancy eating it on its own every day.
How about breaking some up over your porridge or coffee when the weather gets colder, or melting it over fresh or tinned fruit for a sweet dessert?
Recent research carried out by the American Heart Association found that older women who consume a little good-quality dark chocolate once or twice a week could lower their risk of heart problems.
This follows a University of L'Aquila study dating back to 2005 which suggested that it could also improve the body's ability to break down sugars, potentially making it useful for diabetics.
So why is dark chocolate so saintly? It's all down to the fact that it has little or no milk added to it and is made of a minimum of 35 per cent cocoa solids.
This means that it is full of flavonoids and other ingredients which could act as antioxidants, as well as boosting your feel-good hormones.
Sian Porter, a spokeswoman for the British Dietetic Association said: "As long as dark chocolate is eaten in quite small amounts as part of a healthy balanced diet, and you're being active as well, then it could help with heart health."
She stressed that it must be dark chocolate, as milk and white are more fatty and sugary and so not as good for you.
However, the expert warned that this type of research is not an excuse to eat as much chocolate as you possibly can.
"We would caution that dark chocolate is not a magic bullet," she added.
Indeed, only 100g each day is the recommended amount for optimal heart health. And, if you're adding dark chocolate to your diet, then About Longevity suggests dropping some other treats to avoid weight gain, since this amount of chocolate will probably comprise about 200 calories.
Finally, to ensure you get the healthiest chocolate around, go for bars with the maximum amounts of cocoa solids, such as 85 per cent and above varieties.
You could also try adding the chocolate to other foods if you don't fancy eating it on its own every day.
How about breaking some up over your porridge or coffee when the weather gets colder, or melting it over fresh or tinned fruit for a sweet dessert?
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