Chocolate is a huge factor in my diet. I love its flavor and richness, but sometimes I have to limit my sweet tooth. The healthier alternative to regular chocolate is dark chocolate, which may seem bitter at first. But this sparks the real question: how healthy is dark chocolate? Surprisingly, dark chocolate has many different benefits that are actually healthy for you. Here are four reasons why you should switch over to dark chocolate:

1. Disease Prevention

Dark chocolate is fueled with antioxidants, which fight the free radicals in our body and prevent them from further damage. Antioxidants include vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals. The two groups of antioxidants found in dark chocolate are flavonoids and polyphenols. The higher the cacao percentage, the more antioxidants.

2. Blood Pressure

In a study published in 2015, Type-2 diabetes patients compared white chocolate versus high-cocoa, polyphenol-rich dark chocolate. As a result, dark chocolate did lower the blood pressure of the patients, and it decreased the fasting blood sugar. For a diabetic, the higher the cocoa content, the lower the sugar.

3. Better For Overall Heart Health

A study showed that a flavonoid-rich dark chocolate slightly improved heart circulation in adults. Flavanols help lower blood pressure and improve blood flow to the heart and the brain.

4. Potential Cancer Prevention

According to the American Cancer Institute, "Given chocolate’s rich supply of flavonoids, researchers have also investigated whether it may play a role in cancer prevention. A recent review of studies on the cancer protective properties of cocoa concluded that the evidence is limited but suggestive." You heard it, it's a potential cancer-fighting food!