Indulge in that bar of dark, rich chocolate and allow it to lift your spirit. Mood-enhancing dark chcolate contains phenylethylamine, a chemical that is said to mimic the feeling of being in love. It's good for your body, too, as long as you don't load up on mo much of it. (calories do still count). One new study from the University of California San Francisco showed that dark chocolate, rich in antioxidants called flavonoids, may help improve blood-vessel and heart function.
Cocoa has even been shown to contain nearly twice the amount of flavonoids as red wine. And like red wine or tea, dark chocolate can help raise beneficial HDL cholesterol, reduce unhealthy LDL cholesterol, and prevent plaque from gumming up your circulatory system.
Not all dark chocolate is created equal, though. Its beneficial flavonoids can be destroyed during processing, so look for claims that point out retained flavonoid content, such as the Cocoapro logo on certain products.
Nibble it out of hand, melt and whisk it in milk for a dreamy hot beverage, or bake your own piece of chocolate heaven.