Q: I can’t tell you how happy I was when I read that chocolate
may help improve blood pressure. Is that true? A: Yes, but with
limitations. Scientists have discovered that the antioxidant
flavonoids in chocolate can lower blood pressure , reduce
inflammation, improve the elasticity of blood vessels, and may
increase HDL (“good” cholesterol) . Dark chocolate contains more
than double the amount of flavonoids as milk chocolate, and —
another strike against milk chocolate — the addition of milk may
stop the intestines from absorbing the flavonoids. So if you’re
going to eat chocolate, choose a variety that is at least 70
percent dark chocolate. Of course, chocolate is also rich in
calories and fat that will lead to weight gain if you overdo it,
so make sure that you eat chocolate only in one-ounce snack-
sized portions — and remember to account for the extra 150
calories in your daily calorie allotment.