Cebu City - Everybody around the world loves chocolate. It is one of the most popular snacks and it is very convenient to consume because of its size and price.

Dark chocolate, which lacks the milk or butter present in milk chocolate, is a type of chocolate that only contains cocoa solids and butter. Dark chocolate without added sweetness is often referred to as bitter chocolate or unsweetened chocolate.

There are different types of chocolates, but it is undeniable that dark chocolate is the most nutrient-dense among the group.

Harvard conducted an analysis of several studies that included data on over 500,000 participants and found that those who regularly eat dark chocolate (two to three 30-gram servings per week) had a lower risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, and strokes.

Flavanols, which are plant compounds, are abundant in cocoa and may aid to protect the heart. Compared to milk chocolate, dark chocolate has up to 2-3 times more flavanol-rich cocoa solids. Nitric oxide (NO), which lowers blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels and improving blood flow, is produced by the endothelium (the inner cell lining of blood vessels) with the support of flavanols.

Incorporating dark chocolate into your diet may help improve your overall health but is important to consult with an expert before consuming it on a daily basis as this may bring some negative effects to the body when you consume more. // PDO I Noah Vincent D. Gallo, RND, MSPH