Dark Chocolate is good for your heart

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Why is Dark Chocolate Healthy?
 So you like chocolate? Well, it can be good for you, but remember to eat it in moderation and make sure it has greater than 70% cocoa in it. The higher the % of cacao, the more benefits and better nutritional value the chocolate contains.

•  Benefits:
  High cocoa content is a rich source of the flavonoids (epicatechin and gallic acid) which contain cardio protective properties.
   
  Cocoa butter contains small amounts of the plant sterols (sitosterol and stigmasterol) which may help inhibit the absorption of dietary cholesterol.
   
  Unlike the saturated fats found in meat and dairy, the saturated fats in dark chocolate do not elevate cholesterol levels.
   
  The flavonoids in chocolate prevent the excessive clumping together of blood platelets that can cause blood clots.
   
  Chocolate contains significant amounts of the amino acid arginine which is required in the production of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide causes blood vessels to dilate, which helps to regulate blood flow, inflammation and blood pressure.

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