According to the journal Heart, people who eat 3.5 ounces of chocolate every day (that’s about 20 Hershey’s kisses) – dark or MILK chocolate – had a 14% lower risk of heart disease and a 23% lower risk of stroke than those who ate no chocolate.
Ounce for ounce, dark chocolate contains more antioxidants called flavonols – than any fruit or vegetable out there! And here’s what a good dose of flavonols will do for your health.
It improves the ability of blood vessels to expand and contract, which results in better blood flow to your hands, legs, and brain.
It helps the body regulate blood pressure.
A healthy dose of flavonols also decreases the stickiness of blood platelets – which reduces the risk of blood clots and stroke.
And it increases your ‘good’ cholesterol – which lowers your risk of a heart attack.
But since chocolate is still high in fat and calories, a couple of squares a day is plenty.