You may have heard of a recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition where researchers found that chocolate may actually be good for you! While they didn't go so far as to recommend chocolate as a health food, moderate amounts of chocolate as part of an overall balanced diet may help protect your heart, they say. Why? Chocolate — especially the dark kind — contains flavonoids, the same heart-friendly substances also found in tea and red wine. It also contains sterols, B vitamins, magnesium, copper, potassium, and other heart-healthy substances.

Food companies have jumped on the marketing bandwagon, producing chocolate "health food" bars. But watch out, experts say! At 135 to 150 calories per ounce, chocolate — even the fat-free variety — adds up quickly! Eating too many "empty" chocolate calories in place of healthier foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein could offset any potential health gains. So don't start stocking up on chocolate! In fact, why not get your flavonoids from a decaffeinated tea, instead? At zero calories and zero fat — plus a delicious taste — it's one of the best heart-health foods around!