First of two parts.

You can't beat water as a drink choice, but once in a while it's OK to indulge in something more calorie-laden. Two reasonable choices are dark hot chocolate and apple cider. Today, a look at chocolate.

-âWhy: In most of the country, it's cold - very cold - and let's face it, drinking hot chocolate makes most of us feel better. In fact, chocolate contains a number of chemicals that affect brain activity. One of these is tryptophan, the building block of serotonin, which is a relaxation-inducing neurotransmitter that, in large doses (chocolate has small amounts), causes elated or ecstatic feelings.

Chocolate also contains anandamide, a substance that stimulates the same brain cell receptors as THC, the psychoactive substance in marijuana that induces feelings of euphoria, and phenylethylamine, a brain chemical known to promote feelings of attraction, excitement and giddiness.

-âHealth perks: Among the key health benefits of chocolate are antioxidants, chemicals that slow down the aging process and help to prevent heart disease and certain kinds of cancer by blocking the cellular and arterial damage caused by oxidation. Of particular interest is the subclass of antioxidants called flavonoids, which have been proved to keep blood healthy and prevent cell damage and inflammation. A diet supplemented with these antioxidants can slow oxidation of LDL ("bad" cholesterol) and increase the level of HDL ("good" cholesterol).

In addition, studies show that people who enjoy moderate amounts of dark chocolate -Â­ about half a bar per week -Â­ have significantly lower blood levels of C-reactive protein, a key marker of inflammation. Flavonoids are also found in green tea, grapes and red wine, but, according to the USDA, dark chocolate has the highest antioxidant capacity compared with all fruits and vegetables.

Another heart-healthy chocolate benefit is that it contains stearic acid, a saturated vegetable fat that, when ingested, acts like the monounsaturated fats found in olives and canola oil. Unlike the saturated fat in butter, which may raise cholesterol, monounsaturated fat has a neutral effect, or may even help lower blood cholesterol. So, chocolate raises good cholesterol, lowers bad cholesterol, and its polyphenols can also prevent the DNA damage that may lead to tumor formation.

The downside is that the calories in chocolate can add up, and you can get many of the same benefits from drinking green tea.

Use about 1 ounce of 60 percent cocoa chocolate shavings mixed with skim milk, Splenda, stevia or sugar and vanilla extract to make a cup of hot chocolate. I don't recommend having it on a daily basis, but once in a while is not so bad.

- Nutrition: One cup: 208 calories; 15 g fat; 18.5 g carbs; 2 g fiber; 4 g protein.
