July 11, 2007

Health Tip: Choose Your Chocolate Carefully

(HealthDay News) -- Some kinds of chocolate, rich in antioxidants called flavonoids, have been shown to benefit heart health.

But all types of chocolate aren't the same, and too much chocolate can negate any benefits, the Cleveland Clinic says.

The clinic offers this additional information:

• Dark chocolate is richest in flavonoids, so choose dark chocolate over milk chocolate.
• Chocolate does contain fat, but it contains both saturated (unhealthy) and unsaturated (healthy) fats. Chocolate should still only be consumed in small amounts.
• Processed chocolate is higher in fat and lower in flavonoids, so avoid candy bars loaded with caramel, peanuts, nougat and other fattening fillings.