Chocolate is good for your Cardiovascular health: Multiple studies by several universities throughout the world have concluded that eating chocolate boosts the levels of heart-protecting antioxidants in the blood & identified that the flavonoids in dark chocolate help to lower cholesterol and support blood vessels. Research published in the British Medical Journal in December 2004 chose chocolate as an element in their menu for a longer life on the basis of its ability to reduce blood pressure and cut cholesterol levels. The study concluded that 100 grams of dark chocolate reduces cardiovascular disease by 21 per cent; and that in combination with other ingredients in their “polymeal” would reduce cardiovascular disease events by 76%! [ ref www.BMJ.com ]

Chocolate is good for Pregnant Women: Research conducted at the Helsinki University, Finland and published in April 2004 concluded that pregnant women who ate chocolate had happier babies, possibly due to the release of serotonin, a feel-good chemical, released in their bodies. [ Journal reference: Early Human Development (vol 76, p 139) ]

Chocolate is good for your Libido! Dr. Andrea Salonia, an Italian researcher at San Rafaele hospital, Milan studied the link between libido and chocolate and reported that “women who have a daily intake of chocolate showed higher levels of desire than women who did not have this habit. Chocolate can have a positive physiological impact on a woman's sexuality”

Chocolate & Tooth Decay: A study carried out by researchers at Osaka University in Japan & published in New Scientist found that parts of the cocoa bean, the main ingredient of chocolate, thwart mouth bacteria and tooth decay. It is so successful in combating decay that scientists believe some of its components may one day be added to mouthwash or toothpaste.[ ref newscientist.com ]

Chocolate to cure Coughs: Theobromine, an ingredient of cocoa is almost a third more effective in preventing coughing than codeine.

Several studies have proved that theobromine suppressed the activity of the vagus nerve which causes coughing. [ Ref Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology & the National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London. ]

Chocolate & Long-haul Flights: Plain chocolate could help prevent deep vein thrombosis, the so-called “economy class syndrome”; eating chocolate rich in flavonoids lowers the risk of blood clots [ ref Carl Keen, Professor of Nutrition & Internal Medicine, University of California ].