Research indicates that the flavanols in cocoa may have heart health benefits which include improved blood flow, reduced blood pressure and lowered production of the lousy or LDL cholesterol. In addition to the flavanols found in cocoa, dark chocolate also contains other nutrients including iron, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus and fiber.

The caveat here is that the nutritional profile can be significantly hindered by the addition of less healthy ingredients such as trans fat or hydrogenated fat, butter oil, coconut or palm oil, or even milk fat. It’s up to you to be the label sleuth and read both the Nutrition Facts label and the ingredient list closely. The longer the ingredient list, the more likely it is that added items will take away from the cocoa’s potential health benefits.