I’ve always liked dark chocolate. To quote my son, “it’s chocolatey-er.” Elsevier Connect, the news site for scientific publisher Elsevier, has put together an excellent compilation of facts and a great infographic taken from journal articles that address the scientifically-based benefits of dark chocolate. Some examples:

• Chocolate has flavanols a subgroup of plant-derived compounds called flavonoids that have a positive affect on lowering of blood pressure.
• Chocolate has theobromine which can suppress coughing.
• Chocolate has tannins, containing polyhydroxyphenols that can reduce the risk of cavities.
• Chocolate has magnesium which can correct acidity and improves digestion. Alkaloids in chocolate are beneficial for treating diarrhea.
• Chocolate has antioxidants which have a whole host of benefits to health by cleaning free radicals out of the bloodstream.
• Chocolate contains phenylethylamine which is known to affect serotonin and improve one’s mood and it is has been known since the Aztecs to act as an aphrodisiac.

Take a look at their article to read all the details. And don’t feel guilty about eating dark chocolate! Enjoy a dark chocolate truffle Cubze or a glorious piece of hand-crafted dark chocolate – it might just keep the doctor away.