Chocolate to Live For!

A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 2003 reported that dark chocolate may also lower your blood pressure. Researchers at the University of Cologne studied men and women who were recently diagnosed with mild high blood pressure. Half were given 100g (about 3.5 ounces) of dark chocolate per day and half were given white chocolate. After only two weeks systolic blood pressure decreased on average by five points and diastolic blood pressure by two points in those consuming dark chocolate, but not those consuming white chocolate.

In a similar study, researchers from Italy reported in the American Heart Association journal Hypertension that 3.5 ounces of dark chocolate for one week lowered systolic blood pressure by 12 points and diastolic blood pressure by 8.5 points when blood pressure was monitored continuously for 24 hours. Insulin sensitivity and LDL cholesterol also improved. No benefits were seen with white chocolate. Another study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that chocolate may help repair damage to smokers' blood vessels, at least temporarily.

Why? Chocolate increases your body's production of nitric oxide, a powerful substance that causes your blood vessels to relax and dilate. This, in turn, causes an increase in blood flow and a decrease in blood pressure—like opening a water spigot. A study published in July in the Journal of the American Medical Association reported that just 30 calories per day of dark chocolate lowered blood pressure and increased nitric oxide production after 18 weeks.

Nitric oxide is also stimulated by drugs such as Viagra and Levitra, which increase blood flow to the penis and enhance erections. This may be one of the reasons why chocolate has had a long reputation as an aphrodisiac. Casanova is said to have considered it as his "favorite breakfast dish." Chocolate also contains phenylethylamine, which research suggests is a stimulant that is released when you're interacting with someone intimately.

A study by Harvard scientists published last year in the Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology speculated that your brain may receive more blood flow as well when you eat chocolate. Research at West Virginia's Wheeling Jesuit University suggests that chocolate may boost your memory, attention span, reaction time and problem-solving skills by increasing blood flow to the brain. Other studies report that chocolate may promote growth of new brain cells, a process called neurogenesis.

Chocolate also causes your brain to produce more of a chemical called serotonin. This, in turn, may help reduce depression, elevate mood and help you focus better. Serotonin is increased by antidepressants such as Prozac and Zoloft.