The 'dark' truth about chocolate

Chocolate is a treat that can bring joy to anyone's face just by thinking about it. The sweet delicacy is associated with happiness and celebration, but did you know chocolate also offers a slew of health benefits! Chocolate is made of cocoa beans, one of the healthiest compounds present in cocoa beans are flavonoids.

In the world of chocolates, dark chocolate takes the crown for being the healthiest of the bunch. Dark chocolate is composed of 50-90 per cent cocoa solids, which means it has no milk content and is made up of only cocoa butter and solids. The benefit of no milk is quite direct. It means that dark chocolates have 2-3 times more flavonoid content in comparison to milk chocolate.

What are the benefits of adding flavonoids to your diet?

First and foremost, flavonoids are linked to increased production of nitric oxide in the inner lining of our arteries which helps in controlling our blood pressure.

Some studies have also shown that flavonoids can help in increasing insulin sensitivity which means that perhaps in the long term, dark chocolate could help protect us from diabetes.

Chocolates are also a rich source of zinc, magnesium and copper -- all of which are good for women going through menopause as they help in reducing symptoms of menopause.

But beware: chocolate is, after all, made from cocoa butter and sugar. It is a high-calorie food. Eating about 1-2 pieces or six grams of dark chocolate a day is more than sufficient to give you all the health benefits it has to offer.

Second, keep in mind that dark chocolate is also high in caffeine. If you are prone to insomnia or have sleep troubles, try to avoid eating chocolate in the latter part of the day to avoid disrupting your sleep cycle.

All good things come in small packages and this couldn't be truer for chocolates. So, enjoy your dark chocolate but do so in moderation to reap its many health benefits.