Serves: 5
Most of us think of chocolate as the ultimate guilty pleasure, but would it surprise you to know that some chocolate might actually have health benefits? I know, it sounds too good to be true, but it is!
Some even go as far as to call it a new "superfood". In all fairness I should clarify that it isn't all chocolate we are talking about here, but for chocolate lovers it may just be the best news they have heard all year. Dark chocolate is the hero here and here are 10 reasons to go ahead and indulge:
• Dark chocolate contains a unique natural substance that creates a sense of euphoria. When you're satisfied and happy, you're less likely to binge.
• Dark chocolate contains certain antioxidants called polyphenols that could help fight chronic inflammation of tissues in the circulatory system, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
• Heart attack survivors who ate chocolate just twice a week over a two-year period cut their risk of dying from heart disease threefold. 
• Chocolate, like aspirin, makes blood platelets less likely to clump together into dangerous blood vessel-blocking clots by reducing their stickiness.
• Dark chocolate contains magnesium, which can help alleviate PMS symptoms, including cramps, water retention, fatigue, depression and irritability. Three cheers for chocolate!
• Dark chocolate has been shown to correct imbalances in the body related to stress and can significantly reduce levels of stress hormones. I'll take a double dose of that please.
• Recent research has suggests that their antioxidants could help reduce the chances of developing cancer because they combat the cell damage that can lead to tumor growth. 
• Dark chocolate has the perfect caffeine kick. With less caffeine than coffee or strong tea it offers just the right little boost.
• It's a smart snack. Dark chocolate contains the antioxidants which have been shown to boost brain activity.
• It helps you see! In a study in England researchers found that subjects performed better on vision tests after eating dark chocolate rather than white chocolate.
That's enough to convince me! Pass that dark chocolate, would you? As with all things, moderation is the key. A little may be a great, but that doesn't mean a lot is better. Keep portions moderate and this is one guilty pleasure that isn't so guilty afterall.
This TABLE TALK: 10 Reasons to Eat Chocolate! recipe is from the 2012 HomeCook'n Collection Cookbook. Download this Cookbook today.
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