The Power of (Dark) Chocolate

Dark chocolate lovers: rejoice! After detailing the antioxidant properties it contains -- especially when made of 70 or 85% cocoa -- I now have more exciting news to share.

Two recent studies -- one published in the August 2003 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association and another in the August 2005 issue of Hypertension research journal -- concluded that three and a half ounces of dark chocolate every day for two weeks was enough to warrant a ten percent drop in blood pressure of participants!

Allow me to be a party pooper for one paragraph. Three and a half ounces of dark chocolate provide 550 calories and alone surpasses our maximum recommended amount of artery-clogging and bad-cholesterol-raising saturated fat.

Although the media loves to publish results of studies like these and make pretend chocolate is now a health food, the truth isn't that simple.

If you are concerned about your blood pressure, try keeping it in check by eating fresh fruits and vegetables as well as raw nuts and seeds and low or non-fat dairy products. These foods are high in potassium, a mineral that does its part in keeping blood pressure within normal ranges.

Now, if you are a healthy dark chocolate lover who has three ounces of it A WEEK along with daily servings of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low fat animal products, I certainly won't stop you.