Illness, aging and factors including smoking, air pollution and exposure to ultraviolet radiation can overwhelm our natural defenses. These are the reasons anti-oxidants are important in our diets. Foods with high levels of anti-oxidants include vegetables, tea, wine and chocolate. Dark chocolate is extremely high in anti-oxidants. Anti-oxidants are valuable in helping to combat cardiovascular disease.
Dark chocolate has more than double that amount and cocoa powder has four times that amount.
Chocolate contains a range of polyphenolic anti-oxidants known as flavonoids, which are all good for you. Of course, this doesn't mean you can go pig out on a super sized chocolate bar, but it does mean you can indulge in some chocolate here and there as long as you do so in sensible moderation and in keeping with your daily food intake amounts. I try not to talk about myself much, but in this case I'm going to share a little something with you. I have indulged in chocolate daily for countless years now. I do so in moderation, of course, but I do have a little every day.