Dark Chocolate is a Health Food

Good-for-you candy that's so easy to make! 153 calories and 5.6 gm sugar each.

Good-for-you candy that's so easy to make! 153 calories and 5.6 gm sugar each.

Friday is Valentine's Day—aka chocolate day! To really treat yourself and your loved ones, indulge in high-quality dark chocolate. You might be surprised to learn that chocolate with at least 70% cocoa is a good source of fiber, iron, magnesium and copper and is fairly low in sugar.

But the best part of dark chocolate is the flavonoids, powerful antioxidants that have been shown to relax blood vessels and improve blood flow, which lowers blood pressure. Here are 4 more benefits:

  • Reduces inflammation. Dark chocolate fights free radicals—harmful compounds in the body that can contribute to inflammation and chronic disease.

  • Possible cancer prevention. Studies have linked the antioxidants in dark chocolate to be beneficial against colon cancer, possibly due to their ability to reduce oxidative stress, reduce inflammation, and block the growth of cancer cells. 

  • Heart health. In addition to improving blood circulation and reducing blood pressure, flavonoids can help prevent blood platelets from clotting, reducing the risk of stroke. 

  • Better cholesterol profile. A review of 10 studies showed that participants who consumed dark chocolate had lower LDL and total cholesterol levels.  

Homemade Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups

45 min. (including chilling time), 24 candies

  • 16 oz. dark chocolate (at least 70% cocoa) bars, chopped

  • 3/4 cup organic creamy peanut butter

  • 4 TBSP coconut oil

For all the ingredients you need for this recipe, click here

1. Melt chocolate in a double boiler. When melted, add 2 TBSP coconut oil and blend well. 
2. Place 2 mini cupcake liners into each cup of a 24-cup mini muffin tin. Carefully add 1 TBSP of chocolate mixture into each liner. Place tin in freezer for 8 minutes. 
3. Combine peanut butter with 2 remaining TBSP of coconut oil (melt in microwave if solid). Add 1/2 TBSP of peanut butter mixture to each cup and smooth out evenly over the frozen chocolate. Fill each cup to the top of the liner with rest of chocolate then freeze for 30 minutes. 
4. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. 
 

Linda Fears