A new study that followed 44,000 people has found that those who ate chocolate weekly were 22% less likely to have a stroke compared to those who did not eat chocolate. There have been other studies showing that chocolate can reduce general inflammation, keep platelets from clumping, improve brain function and may even help prevent cancer.

The benefits of chocolate are thought to be due to the flavonoids that are contained in this tasty treat. With all these benefits is it time to start eating daily M&M’s? Hold on!
The flavonoids are contained in the seeds of cacao plants and they taste bitter. That is why chocolate is processed to make it more palatable. Dark chocolate with the least amount of processing has the greatest health benefits. Unfortunately for those of us who like milk chocolate, there is little to no health benefit.

It is important to take the information on the health benefits with a grain of salt (so to speak). Chocolate is healthy in moderation and it is the dark (and bitter) chocolate that has the major health benefits.