Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day! 

Today’s post is dedicated to the quintessential Valentine's Day indulgence….chocolate.

Very few things in life carry the same permanence as our passion for chocolate. From the Mayans using cacoa pods in religious ceremonies, to Europe’s royalty enjoying a cup of hot cocoa, we have had a love affair with chocolate since the cocoa tree was first discovered over 2,000 years ago.

While all chocolate is not created equal, many health benefits come from eating dark chocolate that is at least 60 percent cocoa. Dark chocolate is rich in flavonoids, naturally occurring compounds in plant-based foods that serve as antioxidants. These antioxidants help to protect your body against free radicals, balance certain hormones, and lower blood pressure.

Other heart health benefits of dark chocolate include the lowering of cholesterol levels, specifically LDL (the bad cholesterol) by up to 10 percent. Studies also show that dark chocolate stimulates endorphin production in the brain and acts as an anti-depressant.

So when you're looking for that special heart-shaped box for your loved one today, remember to choose something heart-healthy and go with dark chocolate!