Can chocolate benefit your health?
This health tip is brought to you by Maxine Barish-Wreden, M.D. and Kandeel Judge, M.D., who are part of  Sutter's Downtown Integrative Medicine Team.

It’s no secret that fruits, vegetables and grain have healthy benefits, but did you know that eating chocolate can have health benefits too?

For those of us who can't bear to go without our favorite treat - chocolate - here is some good news from Sutter Downtown Integrative Medicine Team:

• Cocoa seeds are high in natural substances called flavonols which seem to have cardiovascular benefits. Dark chocolate with a cocoa content of 60% or more contains the highest amount of flavonols; milk chocolate and white chocolate contain less. Most commercial cocoa drinks also contain relatively small amounts.
• Some studies have shown that cocoa can help to relax the arteries and lower blood pressure.
• Cocoa may even reduce insulin resistance, which can lower your blood sugar (but on a cautionary note: the sugar in processed chocolate will elevate your blood sugar!).
• Cocoa also contains stearic acid, which is a saturated fatty acid. Unlike other saturated fats, stearic acid does not increase total cholesterol or LDL ("bad") cholesterol, but it may lower your HDL ("good") cholesterol, so as always, moderation is key.
• Cocoa also contains substances that may enhance mood; maybe that's why we often give it to those we love.

So for those of you with a chronic sweet tooth, you may be able to soothe both your senses and your heart at the same time with a daily dose of dark chocolate. Remember that most chocolate products, however, are also high in sugar and calories, so watch your intake, especially if you're trying to lose weight.