Guide Note

Dark Chocolate is chocolate that has no milk solids added. Considered the healthiest type of chocolate, it is known help lower high blood pressure.

Fast Facts

1. Sometimes referred to as plain chocolate
2. Lower in fat than Milk Chocolate
3. Has a stronger flavor than Milk Chocolate
4. Cocoa content of Dark Chocolate can vary from 30-80%
5. Varieties: Bittersweet and Semi-Sweet
6. High in Flavonoids
7. An ounce has about 150 calories

Notable Dark Chocolate Brands

• Dagoba
• Scharffen Berger
• Nirvana Chocolates
• Bloomsberry & Co.
• Coco-luxe Confections
• Ecco Bella
• Sweetriot

Health Benefits

The Journal of the American Medical Association reported on a German study in 2003 that eating more dark chocolate could help lower high blood pressure and due to its powerful antioxidants could help kill free radicals and protect the heart from heart disease. The study discovered that those patients who ate dark chocolate had a significant drop in blood pressure, by five points for systolic and two points for diastolic. While dark chocolate contains the same amount of calories as other types of chocolate, the benefits of a small piece daily may help to save your life.