Valentines Day is coming up. You may be wondering if chocolate is the best gift to give your sweetheart. The answer is yes! — particularly dark chocolate.

The Olmecs, one of the first civilizations in the Americas, were the original cocoa users. A beverage was the preferred way to enjoy cocoa beans. Chocolate's origins were medicinal, with more than 100 different uses recorded between the 16th and 20th centuries. Today, most cocoa beans come from the Ivory Coast in Africa.

Cocoa (Theobroma cacao) is the seed that chocolate is made from. Chocolate is rich in substances called flavinoids. Flavinoids and their related compounds are potent antioxidants, which reduce inflammation — a component of many disease processes. Flavinoids are found in fruits, vegetables, cocoa, red wine and tea. Consuming these foods and herbs can reduce heart disease and lessen the risk of stroke.

Over the past 10 years, there have been a lot of studies on dark chocolate or cocoa, many of them related to heart health. Chocolate has been found to lower "bad" cholesterol, while leaving "good cholesterol" alone. People who eat the most chocolate regularly have lower rates of heart disease. It seems cocoa improves blood vessel health and reduces inflammation of the blood vessels, which improves circulation.

Chocolate might reduce insulin resistance — the verdict is still out on that — but may be helpful in reducing the risk of heart disease in folks who have type II diabetes and are on medications.


Other areas of promise include possible benefits in cancer prevention, and potentially reducing the risk of diseases such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and stroke.

For the skin, it appears that cocoa can decrease sensitivity to UV radiation from the sun and improve skin texture. Nibs from the cocoa bean are high in fiber and fiber is good for intestinal health. They also contain minerals such as magnesium, copper and iron.

Chocolate stimulates alertness because it contains caffeine-like compounds. Beneficial effects such as reduced fatigue and improved thinking ability last for about two hours after eating or drinking cocoa. Regular consumption improves blood flow to the brain.

A study was even done looking at pregnant women who regularly ate chocolate. A condition called pre-ecclampsia is a dangerous complication of pregnancy that can occur in the last few months of pregnancy. Pregnant women who ate chocolate one to three times a week throughout their pregnancy had a reduced risk of developing pre-ecclampsia. So, treat your pregnant sweetheart to chocolate too!

There is a perception that chocolate can cause acne and migraines, but this has not been shown to be the case in studies so far — although, I would rely on your own experience. Chocolate is a good addition to your regular diet. Certainly, over-indulgence can cause weight gain, so remember that moderation is the key.

So, go ahead, enjoy your chocolate for Valentine's, couple it with a glass of heart-healthy red wine, and toast each other with Cupid's blessings for a super-romantic, healthy Valentine's Day evening.