It is difficult to find something that does not like milk chocolate. However, for many people dark chocolate is an acquired taste but there are few people who prefer the strong taste of dark chocolate over the sweet taste of milk chocolate. No matter which side you fall into, you should be thankful to learn that it has been recently discovered that the dark variety is actually good for you.

The beneficial elements in this sweet treat are called flavonoids. Flavonoids are also present in other healthy foods like apples, cranberries, tea, and red wine. These elements are beneficial to the human body because they act as antioxidants that work to protect the cells from damage from free radicals.

The other antioxidant properties of flavonoids found in chocolates are they also thought to relax blood vessels, balance hormones that affect heart, reduce platelet activation, prevent plaque formation, and prevent elevated LDL cholesterol levels.

These all means that dark chocolate are good for your heart health. It provides you peace of mind when you have the urge to indulge in this delectable treat. Of course, common sense should exist because chocolate is a high calorie food so it should not be eaten in excess.

Dark chocolate are available in many forms such as candy bars to gourmet bons. In fact, a gourmet gift basket filled with a variety of dark chocolates would make a great gift.

Dark chocolate is prepared from cacao and is the least processed which is why it retains the most flavonoids. Cocoa butter and powdered sugar are added to the cacao but milk is omitted. It is sometimes labeled according to the percent of cacao; the higher the percentage of cacao, the stronger the taste.