Dark chocolate, it’s delicious, but what are the benefits of the delicious treat? The taste of a piece of bitter sweet dark chocolate can make you feel like you are cheating on your diet or splurging, but really you are protecting your body from many diseases and disorders. Here are 10 reasons to eat dark chocolate daily:

1. Antioxidants

More than most foods, dark chocolate has a variety of powerful antioxidants, containing more flavanols than any other fruit. Flavonoids benefit cell signaling pathways and are found in almost all fruits and vegetables.

2. Cholesterol

Dark chocolate raises HDL and protects LDL against oxidation. LDL becomes oxidized when it reacts with free radicals to become "bad" cholesterol and has the capabilities to damage tissues like the lining of arteries. In men, dark chocolate can significantly decrease the oxidized LDL cholesterol and reduce heart disease and diabetes.

3. Nutrients

Dark chocolate is nutritious, containing fiber, copper, manganese, iron and other minerals required by your body.

4. Brain

Dark chocolate improves blood flow to the brain. This is why before a test, a piece of dark chocolate can improve short-term brain function with the stimulant of caffeine. In elderly individuals, dark chocolate can improve cognitive functions like verbal fluency.

5. Heart

Eating dark chocolate five times a week can lower the risk of cardiovascular disease by 57 percent! This goes back to reducing the amount of oxidized LDL in the body and reducing cholesterol.

6. Skin

Flavonoids provide skin protection from UV damage, improves blood flow to the skin and increases hydration to the skin. By eating dark chocolate weeks/months ahead of being out in the sun for extended periods can actually reduce redness from sunburns.

7. Teeth

Worried dark chocolate will lead to cavities? Don’t be — tannin, an ingredient in cocoa, actually prevents tooth decay, reducing plaque buildup and lowers acid production in the mouth.

8. Stress

Dark chocolate leads to lower levels of cortisol and epinephrine (chemicals that your body creates when under stress) which then reduces stress the body is feeling. Eating 1.4 ounces of dark chocolate daily can lead to lower levels of the stress hormone, cortisol.

9. Weight

Dark chocolate can actually help an individual lose weight. A small piece of chocolate cuts the cravings of sweet/sugary foods and increases the feelings of satiety when eating a meal. The flavanols can decrease the body fat if dark chocolate is eaten in portions. Also the increase of insulin resistance that dark chocolate has can reduce the feelings of hunger.

10. Aging

Dark chocolate can lead to fewer wrinkles to develop as an individual ages. It boosts the antioxidant levels which results in better circulation to the skin and then will prevent lines and aging.

The finally reason — it tastes delicious! If it can taste so good and have such great benefits, nothing can stop you from splurging on a piece of dark chocolate each day! If used in moderation, dark chocolate has no disadvantages!

Read more about flavonoids and the benefits.