09/24/08 Good News for Chocolate Lovers

Good news chocolate lovers, it's official. There is now scientific data that a small square of dark chocolate daily protects the heart from inflammation and subsequent heart disease. The rumor that chocolate could actually be good for a person has been floating around for quite some time now, but researchers have now found a definite link between dark chocolate intake and the reduction of c-reactive protein; a marker for inflammation in the blood which is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. This good news does come with a catch though. Milk chocolate doesn't appear to offer the same beneficial effects as dark chocolate, and although dark chocolate is now considered a healthy snack choice, it is limited to only 6.7 grams per day. This, as any chocolate lover knows, is an extremely difficult amount to adhere to! It always seems to harken back to that old adage, moderation is key. So, do yourself a big favor and start enjoying your chocolate, albeit on a small scale, daily. You don't have to wait for Valentine's Day!