December 20, 2010 – Every time I have to do some shopping, I’m forced to pass by the chocolate section in the supermarket in search for the latest brand, and I always end up with one – Ferravita.

That has been my favourite for many months, and temptations to get other brands just don’t convince me to want out. To my amazement, I always find the chocolate isle empty with shopper preferring to buy other types of candy.

I fact, long before I graduated from medical school, classmates, friends and foes would laugh out loud asking why I was buying chocolate, thinking its reserved for ladies and Valentines day.

But research has proven that this is very wrong and every one needs to eat at least 6.7 grams of dark chocolate per day – a bit less than half a bar a week. This represents the ideal amount for a protective effect against inflammation and heart disease.

The benefits of chocolate

In this article, we major on dark chocolate as the most important item. The demand for dark chocolate is increasing and currently accounts for 8–10% of global chocolate tablet sales.

Not long ago, it was reported that 33% of chocolate products launched were dark chocolate confectionery and US dark chocolate consumption had increased at about 9% per annum over the period of four years from 2001–2005.

The popularity of dark chocolate relates to research findings on positive impact of cocoa and chocolate on cardiovascular health.

Here are the benefits:

•    Compared to milk and white chocolate, dark chocolate contains more carbohydrates, meaning you get more energy especially during workouts.

•    Dark chocolate has more magnesium – about 90mg in every 44 grams – compared to milk chocolate.

•     It is also important to note that most dark chocolate contains higher amounts of antioxidant cocoa flavanols than does milk chocolate.

•    Chocolate has been shown to have antioxidant potential and to inhibit LDL type of cholesterol accumulation in blood vessels especially heart vessels thus protecting your heart.

•    In many of the studies, consumption of cocoa and dark chocolate has been reported to increase the concentration of HDL type of cholesterol which acts as an antioxidant that helps remove the bad cholesterol form your blood system

•    Studies have shown that dark chocolate ingestion not only decreased blood pressure but also improved glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity in the studied subjects. So if you have been diagnosed with diabetes, dark chocolate is good for you.

•    Salonia and the colleagues have proven that Cocoa and chocolate have been reported to exert several effects on human sexuality, mainly acting as an effective aphrodisiac, increasing sexual desire and improving sexual pleasure. This is because of the substance called phenylethylamine, which has been reported to stimulate the hypothalamus in the brain inducing pleasurable sensations.

Santa Claus perfected the art of sneaking in at night to give kids some goodies during the cold winter season. Why don’t you wait up all night and demand for chocolate goodies, or just buy one.